Daily Catholic Mass Readings for November 24, 2020
First Reading: Revelation 14.14-19
14Then I looked, and behold, a white cloud, and seated on the cloud one like a son of man, with a golden crown on his head, and a sharp sickle in his hand.15And another angel came out of the temple, calling with a loud voice to him who sat on the cloud, "Put in your sickle, and reap, for the hour to reap has come, for the harvest of the earth is fully ripe."16So he who sat on the cloud swung his sickle across the earth, and the earth was reaped.17Then another angel came out of the temple in heaven, and he too had a sharp sickle.18And another angel came out from the altar, the angel who has authority over the fire, and he called with a loud voice to the one who had the sharp sickle, "Put in your sickle and gather the clusters from the vine of the earth, for its grapes are ripe."19So the angel swung his sickle across the earth and gathered the grape harvest of the earth and threw it into the great winepress of the wrath of God.
Psalm 96
1Oh sing to the LORD a new song; sing to the LORD, all the earth!2Sing to the LORD, bless his name; tell of his salvation from day to day.3Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous works among all the peoples!4For great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised; he is to be feared above all gods.5For all the gods of the peoples are worthless idols, but the LORD made the heavens.6Splendor and majesty are before him; strength and beauty are in his sanctuary.7Ascribe to the LORD, O families of the peoples, ascribe to the LORD glory and strength!8Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name; bring an offering, and come into his courts!9Worship the LORD in the splendor of holiness; tremble before him, all the earth!10Say among the nations, "The LORD reigns! Yes, the world is established; it shall never be moved; he will judge the peoples with equity."11Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice; let the sea roar, and all that fills it;12let the field exult, and everything in it! Then shall all the trees of the forest sing for joy13before the LORD, for he comes, for he comes to judge the earth. He will judge the world in righteousness, and the peoples in his faithfulness.
Gospel: Luke 21.5-11
5And while some were speaking of the temple, how it was adorned with noble stones and offerings, he said,6"As for these things that you see, the days will come when there will not be left here one stone upon another that will not be thrown down."7And they asked him, "Teacher, when will these things be, and what will be the sign when these things are about to take place?"8And he said, "See that you are not led astray. For many will come in my name, saying, 'I am he!' and, 'The time is at hand!' Do not go after them.9And when you hear of wars and tumults, do not be terrified, for these things must first take place, but the end will not be at once."10Then he said to them, "Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom.11There will be great earthquakes, and in various places famines and pestilences. And there will be terrors and great signs from heaven.
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on the themes of judgment, perseverance, and trust in God's plan. In the first reading from Revelation, we encounter a vivid vision of the end times, where a figure on a cloud harvests the earth with a sickle, and angels execute God's judgment. This imagery, while dramatic, reminds us that God's justice will ultimately prevail, separating good from evil. The second reading from Luke presents Jesus warning his disciples about the destruction of the temple and the challenges of the end times. He cautions against false prophets and advises steadfastness amidst turmoil, emphasizing that these events, though unsettling, are not the end but part of a larger divine plan.
Both readings, though differing in style, share common themes of judgment and the necessity of faith. Revelation's apocalyptic imagery symbolizes God's ultimate triumph, while Luke's passage offers practical wisdom on navigating life's uncertainties. Together, they remind us to stay vigilant and rooted in our faith, trusting that God's plan unfolds even amidst chaos.
In our daily lives, these readings encourage us to remain steadfast and discerning. We are to trust in God's justice and plan, even when faced with challenges. The moral lesson here is one of trust and perseverance—keeping our focus on God amidst life's turmoil, ensuring our actions and hearts are aligned with His will.