Daily Readings - Mon Nov 18 2024
Revelation
1The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show to his servants the things that must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John,2who bore witness to the word of God and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, even to all that he saw.3Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear, and who keep what is written in it, for the time is near.4John to the seven churches that are in Asia:Grace to you and peace from him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven spirits who are before his throne,
1"To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: 'The words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand, who walks among the seven golden lampstands.2"'I know your works, your toil and your patient endurance, and how you cannot bear with those who are evil, but have tested those who call themselves apostles and are not, and found them to be false.3I know you are enduring patiently and bearing up for my name's sake, and you have not grown weary.4But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first.5Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first. If not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent.
Luke
35As he drew near to Jericho, a blind man was sitting by the roadside begging.36And hearing a crowd going by, he inquired what this meant.37They told him, "Jesus of Nazareth is passing by."38And he cried out, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!"39And those who were in front rebuked him, telling him to be silent. But he cried out all the more, "Son of David, have mercy on me!"40And Jesus stopped and commanded him to be brought to him. And when he came near, he asked him,41"What do you want me to do for you?" He said, "Lord, let me recover my sight."42And Jesus said to him, "Recover your sight; your faith has made you well."43And immediately he recovered his sight and followed him, glorifying God. And all the people, when they saw it, gave praise to God.
Sermon
In today’s readings, we encounter powerful messages about faith, perseverance, and the call to remain steadfast in our relationship with God. The first reading from Revelation commends the Church of Ephesus for their endurance and discernment in testing false apostles, yet it also issues a solemn warning: they have abandoned the love they once had. This serves as a reminder to us all to reflect on our own spiritual journey and ensure that our love for God remains vibrant and central in our lives. The Gospel from Luke presents the story of a blind man who, despite being rebuked by the crowd, persists in crying out to Jesus for mercy. His unwavering faith leads to his healing, and he follows Jesus, glorifying God.
The context of these readings is rooted in the early Christian experience. Revelation was written to encourage Churches facing persecution and challenges, urging them to remain faithful. Similarly, the Gospel story highlights Jesus’ compassion and the transformative power of faith. Both readings emphasize the importance of perseverance and authentic devotion. The blind man’s persistence in the face of rejection mirrors the challenges faced by the early Christians, and both stories remind us that our faith must be lived out with courage and fidelity.
As we apply these readings to our daily lives, we are invited to examine our own relationship with God. Have we, like the Ephesians, allowed our initial fervor to wane? Do we, like the blind man, trust in God’s mercy and power even when faced with obstacles? These questions call us to repentance and renewal. Let us strive to rekindle our first love for God and to live our faith with the same persistence and hope shown by the blind man. May we, like him, experience the healing power of Jesus and follow Him with gratitude and praise.