Daily Readings - Fri Nov 17 2017
First Reading - Wisdom 13.1-9
Gospel - Luke 17.26-37
Luke
And as it was in the days of Noe, so shall it be also in the days of the Son of man.They did eat, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, and the flood came, and destroyed them all.Likewise also as it was in the days of Lot; they did eat, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they builded;But the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all.Even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man is revealed.In that day, he which shall be upon the housetop, and his stuff in the house, let him not come down to take it away: and he that is in the field, let him likewise not return back.Remember Lot's wife.Whosoever shall seek to save his life shall lose it; and whosoever shall lose his life shall preserve it.I tell you, in that night there shall be two men in one bed; the one shall be taken, and the other shall be left.Two women shall be grinding together; the one shall be taken, and the other left.Two men shall be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left.And they answered and said unto him, Where, Lord? And he said unto them, Wheresoever the body is, thither will the eagles be gathered together.
Sermon
In today’s readings, we are invited to reflect on the themes of awareness and preparedness. The first reading from the Book of Wisdom reminds us that creation itself is a testament to God’s existence. It cautions against the tendency to mistake the beauty of the world for the divine itself, rather than recognizing the Creator behind it. This passage emphasizes that while creation is magnificent, it is merely a reflection of God’s greatness, and we must not lose sight of the Creator in the midst of His creation.
The Gospel from Luke takes this theme further, as Jesus warns us about the importance of being prepared for His return. Drawing parallels to the days of Noah and Lot, Jesus illustrates how people were so engrossed in their daily lives that they failed to recognize the impending judgment. Jesus’ message is clear: we must remain vigilant and not allow ourselves to be consumed by the distractions of the world. The example of Lot’s wife serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of looking back, both literally and metaphorically.
Together, these readings call us to live with a sense of awareness and faith. They remind us to seek God in all things, whether in the beauty of creation or in the midst of our daily lives. Jesus’ words challenge us to be prepared, not out of fear, but out of love and devotion. Let us strive to cultivate a deeper relationship with God, so that we may recognize His presence in all aspects of our lives and be ready to meet Him when He comes.