Daily Readings - Fri Nov 11 2022
2 John
4I rejoiced greatly that I found of thy children walking in truth, as we have received a commandment from the Father.5And now I beseech thee, lady, not as though I wrote a new commandment unto thee, but that which we had from the beginning, that we love one another.6And this is love, that we walk after his commandments. This is the commandment, That, as ye have heard from the beginning, ye should walk in it.7For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist.8Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward.9Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son.
Luke
26And as it was in the days of Noe, so shall it be also in the days of the Son of man.27They did eat, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, and the flood came, and destroyed them all.28Likewise also as it was in the days of Lot; they did eat, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they builded;29But the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all.30Even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man is revealed.31In that day, he which shall be upon the housetop, and his stuff in the house, let him not come down to take it away: and he that is in the field, let him likewise not return back.32Remember Lot's wife.33Whosoever shall seek to save his life shall lose it; and whosoever shall lose his life shall preserve it.34I tell you, in that night there shall be two men in one bed; the one shall be taken, and the other shall be left.35Two women shall be grinding together; the one shall be taken, and the other left.36Two men shall be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left.37And they answered and said unto him, Where, Lord? And he said unto them, Wheresoever the body is, thither will the eagles be gathered together.
Sermon
The readings today from 2 John and Luke invite us to reflect on the themes of faithfulness, love, and preparedness. In 2 John, the apostle expresses joy in seeing some of the community walking in truth and obedience to the commandment of love. He emphasizes that this is not a new instruction but one rooted in the teachings of Christ. John warns against those who deceive by denying Jesus as the Messiah, urging the community to remain steadfast in their faith to maintain a deep connection with both the Father and the Son.
In Luke's Gospel, Jesus uses the examples of Noah and Lot to illustrate the unexpected nature of God's judgment. He cautions against being consumed by worldly distractions and material attachments, using Lot's wife as a symbol of the consequences of looking back. Jesus emphasizes that when the Son of Man is revealed, there will be a separation, and one's preparedness will determine their fate. The eagles gathering where the body is serve as a metaphor for the inevitability of judgment.
Both readings connect through their emphasis on vigilance and adherence to God's word. John's letter and Jesus' teachings remind us to stay true to our faith and be prepared for life's uncertainties. In our daily lives, this means cultivating a deep love for one another and remaining faithful despite the world's distractions. The moral lesson is clear: perseverance in faith and love is essential. As we navigate life, let us stay vigilant, keeping our hearts and minds focused on Christ, ensuring we are prepared for whatever comes our way.