Daily Catholic Mass Readings for November 25, 2024
First Reading: Revelation 14.1-3, 4b-5
1Then I looked, and behold, on Mount Zion stood the Lamb, and with him 144,000 who had his name and his Father's name written on their foreheads.2And I heard a voice from heaven like the roar of many waters and like the sound of loud thunder. The voice I heard was like the sound of harpists playing on their harps,3and they were singing a new song before the throne and before the four living creatures and before the elders. No one could learn that song except the 144,000 who had been redeemed from the earth.4It is these who have not defiled themselves with women, for they are virgins. It is these who follow the Lamb wherever he goes. These have been redeemed from mankind as firstfruits for God and the Lamb,5and in their mouth no lie was found, for they are blameless.
Psalm 24
1The earth is the LORD's and the fullness thereof, the world and those who dwell therein,2for he has founded it upon the seas and established it upon the rivers.3Who shall ascend the hill of the LORD? And who shall stand in his holy place?4He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to what is false and does not swear deceitfully.5He will receive blessing from the LORD and righteousness from the God of his salvation.6Such is the generation of those who seek him, who seek the face of the God of Jacob. Selah7Lift up your heads, O gates! And be lifted up, O ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in.8Who is this King of glory? The LORD, strong and mighty, the LORD, mighty in battle!9Lift up your heads, O gates! And lift them up, O ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in.10Who is this King of glory? The LORD of hosts, he is the King of glory! Selah
Gospel: Luke 21.1-4
1Jesus looked up and saw the rich putting their gifts into the offering box,2and he saw a poor widow put in two small copper coins.3And he said, "Truly, I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all of them.4For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on."
Sermon
In today’s readings, we encounter powerful images of faithfulness and generosity. The first reading from Revelation presents a vision of the Lamb, Jesus, standing on Mount Zion with 144,000 followers who are redeemed and pure. They sing a new song before God, a song that only they can sing. This passage, written in a time of persecution, encourages believers to remain faithful, knowing that their ultimate reward is near. The second reading from Luke tells the story of a poor widow who, despite her poverty, gives her last two coins to the temple. Jesus praises her, not for the amount she gave, but for the sacrifice she made. While the wealthy gave from their surplus, she gave from her need, demonstrating extraordinary generosity.
These readings are connected by the theme of self-giving love. In Revelation, the 144,000 are completely dedicated to the Lamb, following him wherever he goes. They are unblemished and truthful, living lives of integrity. In Luke, the widow’s act of giving everything she had reflects a similar total commitment to God. Both passages challenge us to examine our own relationship with God and with others. Are we holding back, or are we giving fully, even when it is difficult?
Let us reflect on how we can live with the same faithfulness and generosity. In our daily lives, we are called to follow Christ without reservation, even when it requires sacrifice. Like the widow, we are invited to give from our own poverty, whether that is financial, emotional, or spiritual. True generosity is not measured by what we have, but by the love with which we give. May we strive to live with the integrity and selflessness modeled in today’s readings, trusting that our sacrifices will bear fruit in God’s kingdom.