Daily Readings - Tue Nov 02 2021
Job
1Then Job answered and said,23Oh that my words were now written! oh that they were printed in a book!24That they were graven with an iron pen and lead in the rock for ever!25For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth:26And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God:27Whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another; though my reins be consumed within me.
1 Corinthians
20But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept.21For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead.22For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.23But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming.
John
23And Jesus answered them, saying, The hour is come, that the Son of man should be glorified.24Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit.25He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal.26If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour.
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter profound reflections on hope, resurrection, and the transformative power of faith. The Book of Job presents a man in the depths of suffering, yet unwavering in his belief in a Redeemer who will restore him. Job's words are a testament to the enduring human spirit, which, even in darkness, clings to the promise of eternal life. His hope is not in temporary comfort but in the ultimate victory over death, a hope that resonates deeply with the Christian belief in the resurrection.
The Second Reading from 1 Corinthians expands this vision, revealing that Christ's resurrection is the pivotal moment in human history. Through Adam, death entered the world, but through Christ, life is restored. Paul emphasizes that Christ's resurrection is not an isolated event but the first fruits of a greater harvest, where all believers will be united with Him. This passage invites us to see our lives within the broader narrative of salvation, where our struggles and sorrows are not ends in themselves but steps toward eternal life.
In the Gospel, Jesus teaches that true life comes through self-sacrifice. Using the image of the grain of wheat, He illustrates that only by dying to oneself can one bear fruit. This is not a call to self-destruction but to a life of love and service. Jesus' words challenge us to reevaluate our priorities, letting go of our attachment to worldly comforts and ambitions, and instead embracing a life of discipleship. As we follow Him, we discover that the path to true glory is through humility and service.
These readings remind us that our faith is rooted in the hope of resurrection. Like Job, we may face trials, but we can trust that our Redeemer lives. Like the early Christians, we are part of a larger story where Christ's victory over death is our own. And like the disciples, we are called to live lives of self-giving love. May we, in our daily lives, embody this hope, trusting that even in death, God brings forth new life.