Daily Readings - Sun Nov 14 2021
Daniel
1"At that time shall arise Michael, the great prince who has charge of your people. And there shall be a time of trouble, such as never has been since there was a nation till that time. But at that time your people shall be delivered, everyone whose name shall be found written in the book.2And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.3And those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the sky above; and those who turn many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever.
Hebrews
11And every priest stands daily at his service, offering repeatedly the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins.12But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God,13waiting from that time until his enemies should be made a footstool for his feet.14For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified.18Where there is forgiveness of these, there is no longer any offering for sin.
Mark
24"But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light,25and the stars will be falling from heaven, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken.26And then they will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory.27And then he will send out the angels and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of heaven.28"From the fig tree learn its lesson: as soon as its branch becomes tender and puts out its leaves, you know that summer is near.29So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that he is near, at the very gates.30Truly, I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place.31Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.32"But concerning that day or that hour, no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.
Sermon
In today's readings, we journey through themes of hope, sacrifice, and vigilance, all pointing us toward the eternal plan of God. The first reading from Daniel presents a vision of the end times, where the archangel Michael will rise to protect God's people, and the dead will be judged based on their deeds. This passage reminds us that our actions have consequences and that God's justice will ultimately prevail. The second reading from Hebrews contrasts the repetitive sacrifices of the Old Covenant with the perfect, once-for-one sacrifice of Christ, which has forever sanctified those who believe in him. This emphasizes the completeness and sufficiency of Christ's sacrifice for our salvation. In the Gospel, Mark 13, Jesus speaks about the signs of the end times and the coming of the Son of Man. He encourages his disciples to be attentive and ready, using the parable of the fig tree to illustrate the importance of discerning the signs of the times.
These readings are deeply connected. Daniel and Mark both speak of a future time of great upheaval and transformation, while Hebrews provides the theological foundation for understanding the ultimate purpose of these events. The resurrection of the dead in Daniel and the gathering of the elect in Mark point to God's plan to bring creation to its fulfillment. Hebrews ties this together by showing how Christ's sacrifice has made possible the salvation of those who will be raised and glorified. Together, the readings invite us to live with hope and confidence, knowing that God's plan is unfolding even in the midst of uncertainty.
As we reflect on these readings, let us apply their message to our daily lives. In a world filled with challenges and uncertainties, we are called to remain vigilant and faithful, trusting in God's providence. Just as the fig tree signals the coming of summer, so too can we discern the signs of God's presence and action in our lives. Let us live with purpose, striving to teach and inspire others in the ways of justice and holiness, as Daniel suggests. Above all, let us take comfort in the truth that Christ's sacrifice has already secured our salvation, and that his word will endure forever. May we embrace this hope and live each day in preparation for the eternal life that awaits us.