Daily Readings - Sun Aug 15 2021
Revelation
19Then God's temple in heaven was opened, and the ark of his covenant was seen within his temple. There were flashes of lightning, rumblings, peals of thunder, an earthquake, and heavy hail.
1And a great sign appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars.2She was pregnant and was crying out in birth pains and the agony of giving birth.3And another sign appeared in heaven: behold, a great red dragon, with seven heads and ten horns, and on his heads seven diadems.4His tail swept down a third of the stars of heaven and cast them to the earth. And the dragon stood before the woman who was about to give birth, so that when she bore her child he might devour it.5She gave birth to a male child, one who is to rule all the nations with a rod of iron, but her child was caught up to God and to his throne,6and the woman fled into the wilderness, where she has a place prepared by God, in which she is to be nourished for 1,260 days.10And I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying, "Now the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of his Christ have come, for the accuser of our brothers has been thrown down, who accuses them day and night before our God.
1 Corinthians
20But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.21For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead.22For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive.23But each in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, then at his coming those who belong to Christ.24Then comes the end, when he delivers the kingdom to God the Father after destroying every rule and every authority and power.25For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet.26The last enemy to be destroyed is death.
Luke
39In those days Mary arose and went with haste into the hill country, to a town in Judah,40and she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth.41And when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the baby leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit,42and she exclaimed with a loud cry, "Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb!43And why is this granted to me that the mother of my Lord should come to me?44For behold, when the sound of your greeting came to my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy.45And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her from the Lord."46And Mary said, "My soul magnifies the Lord,47and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,48for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant. For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed;49for he who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name.50And his mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation.51He has shown strength with his arm; he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts;52he has brought down the mighty from their thrones and exalted those of humble estate;53he has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent empty away.54He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy,55as he spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his offspring forever."56And Mary remained with her about three months and returned to her home.
Sermon
The readings today present a powerful narrative of hope, struggle, and ultimate triumph, weaving together themes of cosmic battle, resurrection, and the humble acceptance of God’s will. In the first reading from Revelation, we encounter a dramatic vision: a woman clothed with the sun, persecuted by a great dragon, yet ultimately protected by God. This woman symbolizes both Mary and the Church, enduring suffering but destined for victory. The passage reminds us that the struggle between good and evil is universal, but God’s power and mercy ensure that evil will not prevail.
In the second reading from 1 Corinthians, St. Paul connects the resurrection of Christ to the ultimate defeat of death and sin. Just as Adam brought death into the world, Christ, the new Adam, brings life and resurrection. This passage invites us to reflect on the hope that lies at the heart of our faith: Christ’s victory over death is not just a past event but an ongoing reality that transforms our lives. His reign continues until all things are subjected to God, and we are called to live in the confidence of this triumph.
The Gospel from Luke brings us to a moment of profound humility and joy. Mary’s visit to Elizabeth, and her beautiful Magnificat, reveal a young woman who, despite the extraordinary circumstances of her life, surrenders completely to God’s plan. Her song of praise is not just a celebration of God’s greatness but also a recognition of his mercy and justice, which lift up the lowly and fulfill his promises to Israel. Mary’s example teaches us to trust in God’s plan, even when the path is uncertain, and to cultivate a spirit of humility and gratitude.
These readings remind us that our faith is rooted in the assurance of God’s victory over sin and death. Like Mary, we are called to embrace God’s will with trust and humility, even in the face of challenges. As we navigate our own struggles, we can draw strength from the knowledge that Christ’s resurrection has already begun to transform the world. Let us live each day with the hope of eternal life, and may our hearts, like Mary’s, magnify the Lord in all we do.