Daily Readings - Wed Nov 01 2023
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 encounter powerful visions of hope, holiness, and the call to live according to God’s will. The first reading from Revelation presents a dramatic vision of the end times, where the faithful are sealed and protected by God, and a great multitude worships before the throne, clothed in white robes. This scene reminds us that, despite the trials and tribulations of this world, God’s people will ultimately find salvation and eternal joy in his presence. The second reading from 1 John emphasizes the profound love of the Father, who has called us to be his children. It invites us to live with hope, knowing that we will one day see God as he is and be like him, provided we strive for holiness in our lives. The Gospel, the Beatitudes from Matthew, offers Jesus’ teachings on the qualities of those who are truly blessed: the poor in spirit, the meek, the merciful, and those who hunger for justice. These are not the values of the world, but they are the path to true happiness and fulfillment in God’s kingdom.
The readings are deeply connected, as they all point to the transformative power of living as children of God. Revelation gives us a glimpse of the ultimate triumph of God’s plan, while 1 John reminds us of our identity as God’s beloved children, called to holiness. The Beatitudes, in turn, provide practical guidance on how to live out this identity in our daily lives. Together, they invite us to embrace a life shaped by hope, humility, and love. In a world often dominated by power, wealth, and self-interest, these readings challenge us to reorient our values and priorities. They call us to trust in God’s plan, to seek holiness, and to embody the virtues that reflect the heart of Christ.
As we reflect on these readings, let us ask ourselves: How are we living as children of God? Are we striving for holiness in our thoughts, words, and actions? Are we embracing the Beatitudes as a way of life, even when it is difficult? Let us take hope in the vision of Revelation, knowing that our perseverance will one day lead us to eternal joy. Let us allow the love of the Father to transform us, making us more like him. And let us commit to living out the Beatitudes, trusting that in doing so, we will find true happiness and fulfillment. May we be peacemakers, merciful, and pure in heart, for in these ways, we will not only reflect the love of God but also inherit the kingdom he has prepared for us.