Daily Readings - Wed Nov 28 2018
Revelation
1And I saw another sign in heaven, great and marvellous, seven angels having the seven last plagues; for in them is filled up the wrath of God.2And I saw as it were a sea of glass mingled with fire: and them that had gotten the victory over the beast, and over his image, and over his mark, and over the number of his name, stand on the sea of glass, having the harps of God.3And they sing the song of Moses the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, Great and marvellous are thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are thy ways, thou King of saints.4Who shall not fear thee, O Lord, and glorify thy name? for thou only art holy: for all nations shall come and worship before thee; for thy judgments are made manifest.
Luke
12But before all these, they shall lay their hands on you, and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues, and into prisons, being brought before kings and rulers for my name's sake.13And it shall turn to you for a testimony.14Settle it therefore in your hearts, not to meditate before what ye shall answer:15For I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay nor resist.16And ye shall be betrayed both by parents, and brethren, and kinsfolks, and friends; and some of you shall they cause to be put to death.17And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake.18But there shall not an hair of your head perish.19In your patience possess ye your souls.
Sermon
In today’s readings, we encounter powerful images of triumph and perseverance in the face of adversity. The first reading from Revelation presents a vision of heavenly glory, where those who have overcome the forces of evil stand victorious on a sea of glass, singing hymns of praise to God. This apocalyptic scene reminds us that God’s justice and mercy will ultimately prevail, and all nations will come to worship Him. The Gospel, from Luke, shifts our focus to the challenges of discipleship. Jesus warns His followers that they will face persecution, betrayal, and even death because of their faith. Yet, He assures them that they will be given the words to testify and that not a hair on their heads will perish, for their ultimate victory lies in patience and trust in God.
The readings are deeply connected in their emphasis on faith and perseverance. Revelation offers a glimpse of the final triumph of God’s people, while Luke’s Gospel prepares us for the trials that must come first. Both readings remind us that our faith is not a path to comfort or ease but a call to stand firm in the face of adversity. The vision in Revelation is not just a future hope but a present reality that strengthens us to endure. Similarly, Jesus’ words in the Gospel are not meant to frighten but to encourage us to trust in His providence and the power of the Holy Spirit to guide us.
In our daily lives, these readings invite us to reflect on how we respond to challenges. Do we see them as opportunities to grow in faith, or do we allow fear and doubt to take root? Like the early disciples, we may face opposition, misunderstanding, or even betrayal. Yet, Jesus promises us the grace to bear witness to His love and truth, even in the most difficult moments. Let us draw strength from the vision of Revelation, knowing that our perseverance will lead us to eternal glory. And let us trust in Jesus’ promise that He will give us the words and wisdom we need, even when the road ahead seems uncertain. In a world that often tests our faith, may we remain steadfast, knowing that our ultimate victory is already secured in Christ.