Daily Readings - Fri Sep 29 2023
First Reading - Revelation 12.7-12a or Daniel 7.9-10, 13-14
Revelation
7Now war arose in heaven, Michael and his angels fighting against the dragon. And the dragon and his angels fought back,8but he was defeated and there was no longer any place for them in heaven.9And the great dragon was thrown down, that ancient serpent, who is called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world--he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him.10And I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying, "Now the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of his Christ have come, for the accuser of our brothers has been thrown down, who accuses them day and night before our God.11And they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death.12Therefore, rejoice, O heavens and you who dwell in them! But woe to you, O earth and sea, for the devil has come down to you in great wrath, because he knows that his time is short!"
Daniel
9As I looked, thrones were placed, and the Ancient of days took his seat; his clothing was white as snow, and the hair of his head like pure wool; his throne was fiery flames; its wheels were burning fire.10A stream of fire issued and came out from before him; a thousand thousands served him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him; the court sat in judgment, and the books were opened.13I saw in the night visions, and behold, with the clouds of heaven there came one like a son of man, and he came to the Ancient of Days and was presented before him.14And to him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve him; his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom one that shall not be destroyed.
John
47Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward him and said of him, "Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom there is no deceit!"48Nathanael said to him, "How do you know me?" Jesus answered him, "Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you."49Nathanael answered him, "Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!"50Jesus answered him, "Because I said to you, 'I saw you under the fig tree,' do you believe? You will see greater things than these."51And he said to him, "Truly, truly, I say to you, you will see heaven opened, and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man."
Sermon
In today’s readings, we are reminded of the cosmic struggle between good and evil, as well as the transformative power of faith in Jesus Christ. The first reading from Revelation describes a great battle in heaven between Michael and his angels and the dragon, who is identified as Satan. This passage is rich in symbolism, drawing from Jewish apocalyptic literature to depict the ultimate defeat of evil and the triumph of God’s kingdom. The dragon, cast down to earth, represents the forces of sin and deception that seek to divide and destroy. Yet, the reading assures us that the victory belongs to God, and His people overcome evil through the blood of the Lamb and the testimony of their faith.
The Gospel reading from John shifts our focus to a more personal encounter with Jesus. Nathanael, initially skeptical, comes to recognize Jesus as the Son of God and the King of Israel after a simple yet profound revelation—Jesus saw him under the fig tree before they met. This moment of insight leads Nathanael to faith, and Jesus promises him that he will see even greater things, including the vision of heaven opened and angels ascending and descending on the Son of Man. This image evokes Jacob’s ladder from Genesis, symbolizing the connection between heaven and earth established through Jesus.
Together, these readings invite us to reflect on our own place in the spiritual battle and our relationship with Christ. Like Nathanael, we are called to trust in God’s revelation, even when it seems mysterious or unexpected. In a world often filled with confusion and division, we are reminded that our ultimate hope lies in the victory of God’s kingdom, already begun through the death and resurrection of Jesus. Let us, therefore, live with courage and faith, knowing that we are part of a larger story where good triumphs over evil, and heaven is ever-present in our lives.