Daily Readings - Thu Nov 24 2022
Revelation
1After this I saw another angel coming down from heaven, having great authority, and the earth was made bright with his glory.2And he called out with a mighty voice, "Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great! She has become a dwelling place for demons, a haunt for every unclean spirit, a haunt for every unclean bird, a haunt for every unclean and detestable beast.21Then a mighty angel took up a stone like a great millstone and threw it into the sea, saying, "So will Babylon the great city be thrown down with violence, and will be found no more;22and the sound of harpists and musicians, of flute players and trumpeters, will be heard in you no more, and a craftsman of any craft will be found in you no more, and the sound of the mill will be heard in you no more,23and the light of a lamp will shine in you no more, and the voice of bridegroom and bride will be heard in you no more, for your merchants were the great ones of the earth, and all nations were deceived by your sorcery.
1After this I heard what seemed to be the loud voice of a great multitude in heaven, crying out, "Hallelujah! Salvation and glory and power belong to our God,2for his judgments are true and just; for he has judged the great prostitute who corrupted the earth with her immorality, and has avenged on her the blood of his servants."3Once more they cried out, "Hallelujah! The smoke from her goes up forever and ever."9And the angel said to me, "Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb." And he said to me, "These are the true words of God."
Luke
20"But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its desolation has come near.21Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains, and let those who are inside the city depart, and let not those who are out in the country enter it,22for these are days of vengeance, to fulfill all that is written.23Alas for women who are pregnant and for those who are nursing infants in those days! For there will be great distress upon the earth and wrath against this people.24They will fall by the edge of the sword and be led captive among all nations, and Jerusalem will be trampled underfoot by the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.25"And there will be signs in sun and moon and stars, and on the earth distress of nations in perplexity because of the roaring of the sea and the waves,26people fainting with fear and with foreboding of what is coming on the world. For the powers of the heavens will be shaken.27And then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.28Now when these things begin to take place, straighten up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near."
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on judgment, redemption, and the ultimate triumph of God’s justice. In the first reading from Revelation, we see the dramatic fall of Babylon, a symbol of corruption and evil, and the joyful celebration of God’s victory in heaven. The city, once filled with life and music, is now silent and desolate, a testament to the consequences of turning away from God. The Gospel from Luke, however, shifts our focus to the future, as Jesus describes the signs of the end times and the coming of the Son of Man. He warns of great distress and upheaval but also offers a message of hope: when these events begin to unfold, we are to lift our heads, for our redemption is near.
Both readings are set against the backdrop of apocalyptic imagery, which can be unsettling, but they are ultimately about trust in God’s plan. Revelation was written to comfort persecuted Christians, reminding them that despite the powers of evil in the world, God’s justice will prevail. Similarly, Luke’s passage is part of Jesus’ Olivet Discourse, where He prepares His disciples for the challenges they will face, including the destruction of Jerusalem. These readings remind us that God’s judgment is not just punishment but also a call to repentance and a promise of ultimate restoration.
In our daily lives, these readings challenge us to remain faithful and hopeful, even in the face of uncertainty and trial. They invite us to interpret the chaos of the world through the lens of faith, trusting that God is always working to bring about good. Let us not be afraid of the unknown but instead focus on living lives rooted in love, compassion, and fidelity to God’s will. As we await the final redemption, may we lift our heads with confidence, knowing that God’s justice and mercy will guide us through all things.