Daily Catholic Mass Readings for November 23, 2020
First Reading: Revelation 14.1-3, 4b-5
1And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on the mount Sion, and with him an hundred forty and four thousand, having his Father's name written in their foreheads.2And I heard a voice from heaven, as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of a great thunder: and I heard the voice of harpers harping with their harps:3And they sung as it were a new song before the throne, and before the four beasts, and the elders: and no man could learn that song but the hundred and forty and four thousand, which were redeemed from the earth.4These are they which were not defiled with women; for they are virgins. These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth. These were redeemed from among men, being the firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb.5And in their mouth was found no guile: for they are without fault before the throne of God.
Psalm 24
1The earth is the LORD'S, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein.2For he hath founded it upon the seas, and established it upon the floods.3Who shall ascend into the hill of the LORD? or who shall stand in his holy place?4He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully.5He shall receive the blessing from the LORD, and righteousness from the God of his salvation.6This is the generation of them that seek him, that seek thy face, O Jacob. Selah.7Lift up your heads, O ye gates; and be ye lift up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in.8Who is this King of glory? The LORD strong and mighty, the LORD mighty in battle.9Lift up your heads, O ye gates; even lift them up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in.10Who is this King of glory? The LORD of hosts, he is the King of glory. Selah.
Gospel: Luke 21.1-4
1And he looked up, and saw the rich men casting their gifts into the treasury.2And he saw also a certain poor widow casting in thither two mites.3And he said, Of a truth I say unto you, that this poor widow hath cast in more than they all:4For all these have of their abundance cast in unto the offerings of God: but she of her penury hath cast in all the living that she had.
Sermon
In today’s readings, we encounter powerful themes of fidelity and generosity, inviting us to reflect on our relationship with God and our commitment to living out our faith. The first reading from Revelation presents a vision of the Lamb on Mount Zion, surrounded by the 144,000 who are redeemed and pure, singing a new canticle before God. This imagery is deeply symbolic, pointing to the ultimate triumph of God and the fidelity of those who follow the Lamb without wavering. These are the ones who have given their all, untainted by worldly distractions, and who stand as first-fruits for God. The second reading from Luke shifts our gaze to a more earthly scene, where Jesus observes the offerings being placed in the temple treasury. While the wealthy give from their abundance, it is the poor widow who captures Jesus’ attention, for she gives not out of her surplus but out of her very life. Her two small coins represent a total surrender, a willingness to give everything, even when it seems like she has nothing to spare.
These readings, though separated by very different contexts, speak to one another in profound ways. The vision in Revelation reminds us of the ultimate goal of our faith: to be completely dedicated to God, to follow the Lamb wherever he leads, and to live as people set apart for him. The Gospel, on the other hand, grounds this vision in the concrete realities of our daily lives. Jesus is not asking us to wait for some future moment to give ourselves fully to God; he calls us to live this fidelity and generosity now, in the midst of our ordinary circumstances. The widow’s two coins are not just about money; they are about the disposition of our hearts. Do we hold back, giving only what is convenient, or do we give with the kind of abandon that trusts in God’s providence?
As we reflect on these readings, let us ask ourselves: What is it that I am holding back from God? Is there an area of my life where I am not fully surrendered, where I am afraid to give my all? The readings invite us to examine our own hearts and to consider the ways in which we can live more generously, more faithfully, and more fully for God. The widow’s example shows us that true giving is not about how much we have, but about how much we are willing to trust in God’s love and provision. May we, like the 144,000 and like the poor widow, be willing to give our all to the One who has given us everything.