Daily Readings - Sat Nov 02 2024
Job
1Then Job answered and said:23"Oh that my words were written! Oh that they were inscribed in a book!24Oh that with an iron pen and lead they were engraved in the rock forever!25For I know that my Redeemer lives, and at the last he will stand upon the earth.26And after my skin has been thus destroyed, yet in my flesh I shall see God,27whom I shall see for myself, and my eyes shall behold, and not another. My heart faints within me!
1 Corinthians
20But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.21For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead.22For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive.23But each in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, then at his coming those who belong to Christ.
John
23And Jesus answered them, "The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified.24Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit.25Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life.26If anyone serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there will my servant be also. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him.
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter profound themes of hope, resurrection, and self-sacrifice, woven together to guide us in our spiritual journey. The first reading from Job presents a man in the depths of suffering, yet unwavering in his faith. Job's declaration of hope in a Redeemer who will one day rise from the earth resonates deeply, reminding us that even in our darkest moments, God's promise of redemption endures.
The second reading from 1 Corinthians shifts our gaze to the triumph of Christ's resurrection. Paul highlights that just as death came through Adam, so too does new life come through Christ. This passage underscores the universal impact of Christ's victory over death, offering us all the promise of eternal life. It invites us to reflect on our place within this grand narrative of salvation.
In the Gospel, Jesus uses the metaphor of the grain of wheat to illustrate the paradox of Christian life: true life comes through self-sacrifice. He calls us to follow Him, embracing the path of service and love. This teaching challenges us to reevaluate our priorities, encouraging us to let go of selfish desires and instead find fulfillment in serving others.
As we reflect on these readings, we are reminded that our faith is rooted in the hope of resurrection. Like Job, we can trust in God's plan even when it's unclear. Like the grain of wheat, we are called to die to ourselves that we might bear fruit. Let us embrace this call to selfless love, trusting that our sacrifices will lead to eternal life. May we follow Christ's example, serving others and honoring God in all we do.