Daily Readings - Tue Nov 15 2022
Revelation
1And unto the angel of the church in Sardis write; These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars; I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead.2Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God.3Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee.4Thou hast a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with me in white: for they are worthy.5He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.6He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.14And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God;15I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot.16So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.17Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:18I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.19As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.20Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.21To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.22He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.
Luke
1And Jesus entered and passed through Jericho.2And, behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus, which was the chief among the publicans, and he was rich.3And he sought to see Jesus who he was; and could not for the press, because he was little of stature.4And he ran before, and climbed up into a sycomore tree to see him: for he was to pass that way.5And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up, and saw him, and said unto him, Zacchaeus, make haste, and come down; for to day I must abide at thy house.6And he made haste, and came down, and received him joyfully.7And when they saw it, they all murmured, saying, That he was gone to be guest with a man that is a sinner.8And Zacchaeus stood, and said unto the Lord; Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken any thing from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold.9And Jesus said unto him, This day is salvation come to this house, forsomuch as he also is a son of Abraham.10For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter powerful messages about spiritual vigilance and transformation. The first reading from Revelation addresses the churches of Sardis and Laodicea, urging them to awaken from their spiritual complacency. Jesus warns against being lukewarm, emphasizing the need for repentance and a return to fervent faith. The Gospel from Luke presents the story of Zacchaeus, a tax collector whose encounter with Jesus leads to a profound change in his life, exemplifying repentance and the joy of salvation.
The context of these readings reveals the importance of spiritual alertness. Revelation's apocalyptic tone serves as a wake-up call to the early Christian communities, addressing their unique challenges. Luke's narrative, set in a bustling town, highlights Jesus's mission to seek the lost, showing how even the most unlikely individuals can experience transformation through faith.
Both readings intertwine the themes of vigilance and conversion. Revelation warns against complacency, while Luke illustrates the transformative power of encountering Christ. Zacchaeus's actions—repaying those he wronged and giving to the poor—demonstrate a genuine response to God's call, mirroring the call to repentance in Revelation.
In our daily lives, these readings remind us to stay spiritually alert and open to change. Just as Zacchaeus welcomed Jesus into his home and life, we are invited to embrace God's transformative power. The moral lesson here is the importance of avoiding spiritual lukewarmness and being receptive to conversion, allowing God's grace to lead us to a life of purpose and joy.
Let us reflect on our own spiritual state, striving to remain vigilant and open to God's call. May we, like Zacchaeus, experience the transformative power of Jesus, leading us to a life of faith, love, and service.