Daily Readings - Sat Nov 24 2018
Revelation
4These are the two olive trees, and the two candlesticks standing before the God of the earth.5And if any man will hurt them, fire proceedeth out of their mouth, and devoureth their enemies: and if any man will hurt them, he must in this manner be killed.6These have power to shut heaven, that it rain not in the days of their prophecy: and have power over waters to turn them to blood, and to smite the earth with all plagues, as often as they will.7And when they shall have finished their testimony, the beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless pit shall make war against them, and shall overcome them, and kill them.8And their dead bodies shall lie in the street of the great city, which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified.9And they of the people and kindreds and tongues and nations shall see their dead bodies three days and an half, and shall not suffer their dead bodies to be put in graves.10And they that dwell upon the earth shall rejoice over them, and make merry, and shall send gifts one to another; because these two prophets tormented them that dwelt on the earth.11And after three days and an half the Spirit of life from God entered into them, and they stood upon their feet; and great fear fell upon them which saw them.12And they heard a great voice from heaven saying unto them, Come up hither. And they ascended up to heaven in a cloud; and their enemies beheld them.
Luke
27Then came to him certain of the Sadducees, which deny that there is any resurrection; and they asked him,28Saying, Master, Moses wrote unto us, If any man's brother die, having a wife, and he die without children, that his brother should take his wife, and raise up seed unto his brother.29There were therefore seven brethren: and the first took a wife, and died without children.30And the second took her to wife, and he died childless.31And the third took her; and in like manner the seven also: and they left no children, and died.32Last of all the woman died also.33Therefore in the resurrection whose wife of them is she? for seven had her to wife.34And Jesus answering said unto them, The children of this world marry, and are given in marriage:35But they which shall be accounted worthy to obtain that world, and the resurrection from the dead, neither marry, nor are given in marriage:36Neither can they die any more: for they are equal unto the angels; and are the children of God, being the children of the resurrection.37Now that the dead are raised, even Moses shewed at the bush, when he calleth the Lord the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.38For he is not a God of the dead, but of the living: for all live unto him.39Then certain of the scribes answering said, Master, thou hast well said.40And after that they durst not ask him any question at all.
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter powerful messages about hope, perseverance, and the nature of resurrection. The first reading from Revelation 11:4-12 presents the symbolic story of two olive trees and lampstands, representing the prophetic voice of the church. These witnesses face persecution, death, and then a dramatic resurrection, ascending to heaven. This imagery reassures us that despite trials, God's power prevails, offering hope to believers enduring adversity.
In the Gospel, Luke 20:27-40, Jesus engages with the Sadducees, who question the concept of resurrection through a scenario involving seven brothers and a woman. Jesus explains that in the resurrection, marital relationships cease, and the resurrected live like angels, as children of God. He supports this with Moses' encounter, emphasizing that God is the God of the living, not the dead. This teaching underscores the reality of resurrection and its transformative nature.
Both readings converge on the theme of resurrection, highlighting its symbolic and theological dimensions. Revelation's witnesses embody enduring faith amidst persecution, while Luke's passage provides the theological foundation, assuring us of life beyond death. In daily life, these readings encourage us to live with hope, focusing on eternal life and trusting in God's plan. The moral lesson is clear: our ultimate hope lies in resurrection, where God's life-giving power overcomes all suffering. Let us embrace this hope, living in alignment with God's will, trusting in His eternal plan.