Daily Readings - Tue Nov 15 2022
Revelation
1"And to the angel of the church in Sardis write: 'The words of him who has the seven spirits of God and the seven stars."'I know your works. You have the reputation of being alive, but you are dead.2Wake up, and strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have not found your works complete in the sight of my God.3Remember, then, what you received and heard. Keep it, and repent. If you will not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what hour I will come against you.4Yet you have still a few names in Sardis, people who have not soiled their garments, and they will walk with me in white, for they are worthy.5The one who conquers will be clothed thus in white garments, and I will never blot his name out of the book of life. I will confess his name before my Father and before his angels.6He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.'14"And to the angel of the church in Laodicea write: 'The words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of God's creation.15"'I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot!16So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth.17For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked.18I counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire, so that you may be rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself and the shame of your nakedness may not be seen, and salve to anoint your eyes, so that you may see.19Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent.20Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.21The one who conquers, I will grant him to sit with me on my throne, as I also conquered and sat down with my Father on his throne.22He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.'"
Luke
1He entered Jericho and was passing through.2And there was a man named Zacchaeus. He was a chief tax collector and was rich.3And he was seeking to see who Jesus was, but on account of the crowd he could not, because he was small of stature.4So he ran on ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see him, for he was about to pass that way.5And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up and said to him, "Zacchaeus, hurry and come down, for I must stay at your house today."6So he hurried and came down and received him joyfully.7And when they saw it, they all grumbled, "He has gone in to be the guest of a man who is a sinner."8And Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, "Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor. And if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I restore it fourfold."9And Jesus said to him, "Today salvation has come to this house, since he also is a son of Abraham.10For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost."
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter powerful messages about spiritual vigilance and transformation. The first reading from Revelation addresses the churches of Sardis and Laodicea, urging them to awaken from their spiritual complacency. Jesus warns against being lukewarm, emphasizing the need for repentance and a return to fervent faith. The Gospel from Luke presents the story of Zacchaeus, a tax collector whose encounter with Jesus leads to a profound change in his life, exemplifying repentance and the joy of salvation.
The context of these readings reveals the importance of spiritual alertness. Revelation's apocalyptic tone serves as a wake-up call to the early Christian communities, addressing their unique challenges. Luke's narrative, set in a bustling town, highlights Jesus's mission to seek the lost, showing how even the most unlikely individuals can experience transformation through faith.
Both readings intertwine the themes of vigilance and conversion. Revelation warns against complacency, while Luke illustrates the transformative power of encountering Christ. Zacchaeus's actions—repaying those he wronged and giving to the poor—demonstrate a genuine response to God's call, mirroring the call to repentance in Revelation.
In our daily lives, these readings remind us to stay spiritually alert and open to change. Just as Zacchaeus welcomed Jesus into his home and life, we are invited to embrace God's transformative power. The moral lesson here is the importance of avoiding spiritual lukewarmness and being receptive to conversion, allowing God's grace to lead us to a life of purpose and joy.
Let us reflect on our own spiritual state, striving to remain vigilant and open to God's call. May we, like Zacchaeus, experience the transformative power of Jesus, leading us to a life of faith, love, and service.