Daily Readings - Tue Nov 01 2022
Revelation
2Then I saw another angel ascending from the rising of the sun, with the seal of the living God, and he called with a loud voice to the four angels who had been given power to harm earth and sea,3saying, "Do not harm the earth or the sea or the trees, until we have sealed the servants of our God on their foreheads."4And I heard the number of the sealed, 144,000, sealed from every tribe of the sons of Israel:9After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands,10and crying out with a loud voice, "Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!"11And all the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures, and they fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God,12saying, "Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might be to our God forever and ever! Amen."13Then one of the elders addressed me, saying, "Who are these, clothed in white robes, and from where have they come?"14I said to him, "Sir, you know." And he said to me, "These are the ones coming out of the great tribulation. They have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.
1 John
1See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him.2Beloved, we are God's children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is.3And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure.
Matthew
1Seeing the crowds, he went up on the mountain, and when he sat down, his disciples came to him.2And he opened his mouth and taught them, saying:3"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.4"Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.5"Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.6"Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.7"Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.8"Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.9"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.10"Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.11"Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account.12Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
Sermon
In today's readings, we journey through themes of hope, holiness, and living a virtuous life. The Book of Revelation presents a vision of the sealed faithful and a diverse crowd worshipping God, symbolizing the ultimate unity and salvation of all people. This apocalyptic text offers hope to persecuted Christians, assuring them of their eternal destiny. The First Epistle of John emphasizes our identity as God's children, urging us to live holy lives as we await Christ's return. The Gospel from Matthew, known as the Beatitudes, outlines the characteristics of those blessed by God, such as humility, mercy, and peacemaking, which guide us in living according to Kingdom values.
These readings are interconnected, each highlighting different aspects of the Christian life. Revelation shows the end goal of our faith—a heavenly reality where all nations unite in worship. 1 John bridges the present and future, encouraging believers to embrace their identity as God's children and strive for holiness. The Beatitudes provide practical ethics for living out this identity, emphasizing virtues that reflect God's character. Together, they remind us that our faith is both a present reality and a future hope.
Applying these teachings to daily life, we are called to live with hope, knowing our ultimate destiny is with God. Embracing the Beatitudes' virtues helps us navigate life's challenges with grace and compassion. As children of God, we should strive for holiness, reflecting His love and justice. Let us embrace our identity, live with hope, and embody the virtues that bring us closer to God, transforming our lives and the world around us.