Daily Readings - Fri Nov 17 2023
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 invite us to reflect on the relationship between creation, judgment, and our ultimate destiny. In the first reading from the Book of Wisdom, we hear a critique of those who fail to recognize the Creator despite the beauty and order of creation. The author laments that while people marvel at the power and beauty of the natural world, they often stop short of acknowledging the One who made it all. This passage serves as a reminder that creation is not an end in itself but a pointer to the divine. It warns against idolizing the created world and urges us to seek the Creator who is the source of all life and beauty.
The Gospel from Luke shifts our focus to the future, warning us about the suddenness of God’s judgment. Jesus draws parallels between the days of Noah and Lot and the days of the Son of Man. Just as the people of Noah’s time were caught up in their daily lives, unaware of the impending flood, and just as the people of Sodom were destroyed when they least expected it, so too will the coming of the Son of Man be unexpected and disruptive. Jesus emphasizes the importance of being prepared and detached from worldly concerns. His words are not meant to inspire fear but to call us to live with vigilance and faith, trusting in God’s plan.
These readings challenge us to live with a balanced perspective: to appreciate the beauty of creation without becoming enslaved by it, and to remain alert to the ultimate reality of God’s judgment. In our daily lives, this means cultivating gratitude for the gifts of creation while keeping our hearts fixed on the things that truly last. It also means being mindful of how we live, ensuring that our choices and priorities reflect our commitment to follow Christ. Let us not be like those who, in the time of Noah and Lot, were so focused on the present that they forgot the future. Instead, let us live in such a way that we are ready to meet the Lord whenever and wherever he comes.