Daily Readings - Fri Nov 17 2023
Luke
26Just as it was in the days of Noah, so will it be in the days of the Son of Man.27They were eating and drinking and marrying and being given in marriage, until the day when Noah entered the ark, and the flood came and destroyed them all.28Likewise, just as it was in the days of Lot--they were eating and drinking, buying and selling, planting and building,29but on the day when Lot went out from Sodom, fire and sulfur rained from heaven and destroyed them all--30so will it be on the day when the Son of Man is revealed.31On that day, let the one who is on the housetop, with his goods in the house, not come down to take them away, and likewise let the one who is in the field not turn back.32Remember Lot's wife.33Whoever seeks to preserve his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life will keep it.34I tell you, in that night there will be two in one bed. One will be taken and the other left.35There will be two women grinding together. One will be taken and the other left."36See Footnote37And they said to him, "Where, Lord?" He said to them, "Where the corpse is, there the vultures will gather."
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on the relationship between creation, judgment, and our ultimate destiny. In the first reading from the Book of Wisdom, we hear a critique of those who fail to recognize the Creator despite the beauty and order of creation. The author laments that while people marvel at the power and beauty of the natural world, they often stop short of acknowledging the One who made it all. This passage serves as a reminder that creation is not an end in itself but a pointer to the divine. It warns against idolizing the created world and urges us to seek the Creator who is the source of all life and beauty.
The Gospel from Luke shifts our focus to the future, warning us about the suddenness of God’s judgment. Jesus draws parallels between the days of Noah and Lot and the days of the Son of Man. Just as the people of Noah’s time were caught up in their daily lives, unaware of the impending flood, and just as the people of Sodom were destroyed when they least expected it, so too will the coming of the Son of Man be unexpected and disruptive. Jesus emphasizes the importance of being prepared and detached from worldly concerns. His words are not meant to inspire fear but to call us to live with vigilance and faith, trusting in God’s plan.
These readings challenge us to live with a balanced perspective: to appreciate the beauty of creation without becoming enslaved by it, and to remain alert to the ultimate reality of God’s judgment. In our daily lives, this means cultivating gratitude for the gifts of creation while keeping our hearts fixed on the things that truly last. It also means being mindful of how we live, ensuring that our choices and priorities reflect our commitment to follow Christ. Let us not be like those who, in the time of Noah and Lot, were so focused on the present that they forgot the future. Instead, let us live in such a way that we are ready to meet the Lord whenever and wherever he comes.