Daily Readings - Sun Dec 01 2024

¹⁴"Behold, the days are coming, declares the LORD, when I will fulfill the promise I made to the house of Israel and the house of Judah.¹⁵In those days and at that time I will cause a righteous Branch to spring up for David, and he shall execute justice and righteousness in the land.¹⁶In those days Judah will be saved and Jerusalem will dwell securely. And this is the name by which it will be called: 'The LORD is our righteousness.'

1 Thessalonians

Chapter 3

¹²and may the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, as we do for you,¹³so that he may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints.

Chapter 4

¹Finally, then, brothers, we ask and urge you in the Lord Jesus, that as you received from us how you ought to live and to please God, just as you are doing, that you do so more and more.²For you know what instructions we gave you through the Lord Jesus.

Luke

Chapter 21

²⁵"And there will be signs in sun and moon and stars, and on the earth distress of nations in perplexity because of the roaring of the sea and the waves,²⁶people fainting with fear and with foreboding of what is coming on the world. For the powers of the heavens will be shaken.²⁷And then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.²⁸Now when these things begin to take place, straighten up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near."³⁴"But watch yourselves lest your hearts be weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and cares of this life, and that day come upon you suddenly like a trap.³⁵For it will come upon all who dwell on the face of the whole earth.³⁶But stay awake at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that are going to take place, and to stand before the Son of Man."

Sermon

In today’s readings, we are presented with a tapestry of hope, preparation, and the call to live justly. The prophet Jeremiah speaks of a future where God’s promise of justice and restoration is fulfilled through a leader from David’s line, a prophecy realized in Jesus Christ. This message, born out of the hope during the Babylonian exile, reminds us of God’s faithfulness and the ultimate restoration He promises. The second reading from Thessalonians encourages believers to abound in love and live blamelessly, preparing for the Lord’s return. Paul’s words resonate with the early Christian communities, emphasizing ethical living and readiness for Christ’s coming. This ties seamlessly into the Gospel, where Jesus describes the signs of the end times and urges His disciples to remain vigilant and prayerful, not to be swayed by worldly distractions. These readings weave together the themes of hope, justice, and preparation. Jeremiah’s prophecy finds its fulfillment in Jesus, who embodies justice and restoration. Thessalonians calls us to live in love and readiness, while the Gospel warns against complacency, encouraging us to stay alert and focused on our faith. As we navigate our daily lives, let us embrace this call to live with purpose, trusting in God’s plan and maintaining hope in His promises. May we stay vigilant, grounded in love and justice, ever-ready to stand before the Son of Man.