Daily Readings - Thu Nov 19 2020
Revelation
1Then I saw in the right hand of him who was seated on the throne a scroll written within and on the back, sealed with seven seals.2And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, "Who is worthy to open the scroll and break its seals?"3And no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll or to look into it,4and I began to weep loudly because no one was found worthy to open the scroll or to look into it.5And one of the elders said to me, "Weep no more; behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has conquered, so that he can open the scroll and its seven seals."6And between the throne and the four living creatures and among the elders I saw a Lamb standing, as though it had been slain, with seven horns and with seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth.7And he went and took the scroll from the right hand of him who was seated on the throne.8And when he had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each holding a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints.9And they sang a new song, saying, "Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation,10and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on the earth."
Luke
41And when he drew near and saw the city, he wept over it,42saying, "Would that you, even you, had known on this day the things that make for peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes.43For the days will come upon you, when your enemies will set up a barricade around you and surround you and hem you in on every side44and tear you down to the ground, you and your children within you. And they will not leave one stone upon another in you, because you did not know the time of your visitation."
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter powerful visions and poignant laments that invite us to reflect on God's plan and our response to it. The first reading from Revelation presents a dramatic scene where a sealed book, symbolizing God's plan, can only be opened by the Lamb, who is Jesus. This imagery underscores Jesus' role as the Messiah, worthy of opening the seals and revealing God's will. The passage from Luke, however, shifts our focus to Jesus weeping over Jerusalem, expressing sorrow over the city's failure to recognize the time of its visitation, which foretells its impending destruction.
These readings, while distinct in tone, share a common theme: the recognition of God's presence and plan. Revelation, written in a time of persecution, offers hope to early Christians through the vision of Jesus as the Lamb, emphasizing His divine authority and the unfolding of God's plan. In contrast, Luke's narrative highlights the consequences of spiritual blindness, as Jerusalem's inability to recognize Jesus leads to tragedy. Together, they remind us of the importance of spiritual awareness and the need to discern God's presence in our lives.
In our daily lives, these readings encourage us to be attentive to God's invitations and to respond with openness and faith. Just as the Lamb in Revelation is worthy to open the seals, we are called to recognize Jesus' presence and allow His will to guide us. Like Jerusalem, we face moments where our response to God's call can lead to either peace or turmoil. Let us reflect on how we welcome God into our hearts and lives, striving to recognize His visitation and embrace His plan, thereby finding peace and avoiding the sorrow of missed opportunities.