Daily Readings - Sat Nov 28 2020
Revelation
1And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb.2In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.3And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him:4And they shall see his face; and his name shall be in their foreheads.5And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever.6And he said unto me, These sayings are faithful and true: and the Lord God of the holy prophets sent his angel to shew unto his servants the things which must shortly be done.7Behold, I come quickly: blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book.
Luke
34And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares.35For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth.36Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.
Sermon
In today's readings, we are presented with vivid imagery and profound teachings that guide us toward a deeper understanding of our faith. The first reading from Revelation 22:1-7 paints a picture of the heavenly Jerusalem, where the river of life flows from God's throne, and the Tree of Life bears fruit for the healing of nations. This vision is a testament to God's promise of eternal life and the ultimate triumph over suffering. The Gospel from Luke 21:34-36, however, shifts our focus to the present, as Jesus warns us against being consumed by the cares of this world. He urges us to remain vigilant and prayerful, so that we may stand before Him when He comes again.
These readings, though different in tone, are deeply connected. Revelation offers us a glimpse of the eternal life we are called to, while Luke reminds us of the necessary preparation and mindfulness required to attain it. The apocalyptic vision in Revelation is not merely a future hope but a present reality that shapes how we live each day. Jesus' words in Luke serve as a call to action, encouraging us to detach from worldly distractions and remain focused on our spiritual journey. Together, they remind us that our ultimate goal is to stand before God, and this requires constant vigilance and prayer.
As we reflect on these readings, let us consider how they apply to our daily lives. In a world filled with distractions and temptations, it is easy to lose sight of what truly matters. Yet, Jesus calls us to be vigilant, to pray always, and to keep our hearts fixed on Him. The vision in Revelation reminds us that our struggles are not in vain, for God's plan is one of ultimate restoration and peace. Let us, therefore, live each day with hope and trust in God's plan, keeping our eyes fixed on the eternal life He promises. May we remain faithful and steadfast, ready to stand before the Son of Man when He comes.