Daily Readings - Fri Nov 01 2019
Revelation
2And I saw another angel ascending from the east, having the seal of the living God: and he cried with a loud voice to the four angels, to whom it was given to hurt the earth and the sea,3Saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads.4And I heard the number of them which were sealed: and there were sealed an hundred and forty and four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel.9After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands;10And cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb.11And all the angels stood round about the throne, and about the elders and the four beasts, and fell before the throne on their faces, and worshipped God,12Saying, Amen: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might, be unto our God for ever and ever. Amen.13And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, What are these which are arrayed in white robes? and whence came they?14And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.
1 John
1Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.2Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.3And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.
Matthew
1And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came unto him:2And he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying,3Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.4Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.5Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.6Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.7Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.8Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.9Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.10Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.11Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.12Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.
Sermon
In today's readings, we are presented with a powerful vision of hope and transformation. The first reading from Revelation paints a vivid picture of the heavenly multitude, clothed in white, worshiping before the throne of God. This vision is a reminder of the ultimate destiny of the faithful, who have endured tribulation and emerged victorious through the blood of the Lamb. The second reading from 1 John deepens this hope, reminding us that we are already children of God, though what we will become is still unfolding. This truth calls us to live in a way that reflects God's holiness, as we await the full revelation of His plan for us. The Gospel from Matthew, known as the Beatitudes, provides the ethical framework for living as children of God. Jesus teaches that true blessedness is found in humility, mercy, and a hunger for justice, even in the face of persecution.
These readings are deeply connected, as they all point to the transformative power of God's love and the hope of eternal life. Revelation gives us a glimpse of the end, where the faithful are gathered before God's throne, while 1 John emphasizes the present reality of being God's children. The Beatitudes, in turn, show us how to live in the here and now, embodying the virtues that reflect God's kingdom. Together, they remind us that our ultimate hope is not in this world but in the eternal life promised by God.
As we reflect on these readings, let us ask ourselves: How are we living as children of God in our daily lives? Are we striving to be poor in spirit, merciful, and peacemakers? The Beatitudes challenge us to embrace a way of life that is counter to the values of the world. They call us to trust in God's plan, even when it is difficult, and to seek His justice and mercy. Let us also remember that our struggles and persecutions are not in vain, for they are part of the journey that leads us to eternal life. May we live with hope, trusting in God's promise, and may we strive to be holy, as He is holy.