Daily Readings - Mon Nov 01 2021
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
The readings today offer us a vision of hope, unity, and the ultimate triumph of God’s plan. In the first reading from Revelation, we are shown a glimpse of the heavenly multitude—144,000 sealed servants of God from every tribe of Israel and a countless number from all nations, tribes, and languages. This vision emphasizes that God’s salvation is universal, extending to all people, and that His plan includes the redemption of the entire world. The white robes and palm branches symbolize purity and victory, while the worship of the Lamb underscores the central role of Christ in God’s plan of salvation. The reading reminds us that, despite the trials and tribulations of this world, there is a future where all of God’s people will stand together in worship and adoration.
The second reading from 1 John deepens this theme by reminding us of our identity as children of God. John writes that we are already called the sons and daughters of God, but our truest form is yet to be revealed. When Christ appears, we will be like Him, for we will see Him as He is. This hope calls us to live holy lives, striving to imitate Christ in our thoughts, words, and actions. John’s words encourage us to look beyond the present moment, knowing that our ultimate fulfillment lies in union with God. This hope is not passive; it is a call to action, urging us to live in a way that reflects our divine adoption.
In the Gospel, Jesus teaches us the Beatitudes, which are the characteristics of those who live as children of God. The poor in spirit, the meek, the mournful, the merciful, the pure of heart, the peacemakers, and those who endure persecution for justice—these are the ones who will inherit the kingdom of heaven. The Beatitudes are not just moral guidelines; they are a way of life that reflects the heart of God. They call us to humility, compassion, and a willingness to suffer for what is right. Jesus’ words challenge us to reevaluate our priorities and to seek holiness in the midst of a world that often values the opposite.
Today’s readings remind us that we are called to live as children of God, trusting in His plan and striving to reflect His love and holiness in our lives. The vision of Revelation, the hope expressed in 1 John, and the Beatitudes all point us to the same truth: our ultimate destiny is union with God, and our lives should be shaped by this hope. Let us embrace the call to live as God’s children, trusting in His promise and striving to be holy, even as He is holy.