Daily Readings - Tue Nov 01 2022
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 journey through themes of hope, holiness, and living a virtuous life. The Book of Revelation presents a vision of the sealed faithful and a diverse crowd worshipping God, symbolizing the ultimate unity and salvation of all people. This apocalyptic text offers hope to persecuted Christians, assuring them of their eternal destiny. The First Epistle of John emphasizes our identity as God's children, urging us to live holy lives as we await Christ's return. The Gospel from Matthew, known as the Beatitudes, outlines the characteristics of those blessed by God, such as humility, mercy, and peacemaking, which guide us in living according to Kingdom values.
These readings are interconnected, each highlighting different aspects of the Christian life. Revelation shows the end goal of our faith—a heavenly reality where all nations unite in worship. 1 John bridges the present and future, encouraging believers to embrace their identity as God's children and strive for holiness. The Beatitudes provide practical ethics for living out this identity, emphasizing virtues that reflect God's character. Together, they remind us that our faith is both a present reality and a future hope.
Applying these teachings to daily life, we are called to live with hope, knowing our ultimate destiny is with God. Embracing the Beatitudes' virtues helps us navigate life's challenges with grace and compassion. As children of God, we should strive for holiness, reflecting His love and justice. Let us embrace our identity, live with hope, and embody the virtues that bring us closer to God, transforming our lives and the world around us.