Daily Catholic Mass Readings for November 23, 2022
First Reading: Revelation 15.1-4
1Then I saw another sign in heaven, great and amazing, seven angels with seven plagues, which are the last, for with them the wrath of God is finished.2And I saw what appeared to be a sea of glass mingled with fire--and also those who had conquered the beast and its image and the number of its name, standing beside the sea of glass with harps of God in their hands.3And they sing the song of Moses, the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, "Great and amazing are your deeds, O Lord God the Almighty! Just and true are your ways, O King of the nations!4Who will not fear, O Lord, and glorify your name? For you alone are holy. All nations will come and worship you, for your righteous acts have been revealed."
Psalm 98
1Oh sing to the LORD a new song, for he has done marvelous things! His right hand and his holy arm have worked salvation for him.2The LORD has made known his salvation; he has revealed his righteousness in the sight of the nations.3He has remembered his steadfast love and faithfulness to the house of Israel. All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God.4Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all the earth; break forth into joyous song and sing praises!5Sing praises to the LORD with the lyre, with the lyre and the sound of melody!6With trumpets and the sound of the horn make a joyful noise before the King, the LORD!7Let the sea roar, and all that fills it; the world and those who dwell in it!8Let the rivers clap their hands; let the hills sing for joy together9before the LORD, for he comes to judge the earth. He will judge the world with righteousness, and the peoples with equity.
Gospel: Luke 21.12-19
12But before all this they will lay their hands on you and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors for my name's sake.13This will be your opportunity to bear witness.14Settle it therefore in your minds not to meditate beforehand how to answer,15for I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which none of your adversaries will be able to withstand or contradict.16You will be delivered up even by parents and brothers and relatives and friends, and some of you they will put to death.17You will be hated by all for my name's sake.18But not a hair of your head will perish.19By your endurance you will gain your lives.
Sermon
In today's readings, we are presented with vivid imagery and profound teachings that invite us to reflect on the nature of faith, perseverance, and God's ultimate triumph. The first reading from Revelation paints a picture of the final victory of God over evil, with the faithful standing on a sea of glass, singing hymns of praise. This vision is a reminder that, despite the trials and tribulations we face, God's justice and love will ultimately prevail. The Gospel from Luke, however, brings us back to the present, where Jesus warns His disciples about the persecutions they will endure for His name. He assures them that they will be given the strength and wisdom to testify to their faith, even in the face of adversity.
The connection between these readings lies in their emphasis on trust and perseverance. Revelation offers a glimpse of the eternal reward for those who remain faithful, while Luke's Gospel equips us with the courage to face the challenges of the here and now. Both readings remind us that our faith is not just about waiting for the future; it is about living it out in the present, even when the road is difficult. Jesus’ promise that "not a hair of your head will perish" is not a guarantee of physical safety but a assurance of spiritual survival. Our souls, nourished by patience and trust in God, will endure.
As we apply these readings to our daily lives, let us remember that faith is not about avoiding struggles but about facing them with courage and grace. When we encounter trials, whether personal or communal, let us draw strength from the knowledge that we are part of a larger story—one that ends in God’s victory. May we, like the faithful in Revelation, sing His praises even in the midst of turmoil, and may we, like the disciples in Luke, testify to His love with patience and perseverance. In doing so, we not only endure our trials but also allow them to transform us, drawing us closer to the heart of God.