Daily Readings - Mon Nov 25 2024
Revelation
1And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on the mount Sion, and with him an hundred forty and four thousand, having his Father's name written in their foreheads.2And I heard a voice from heaven, as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of a great thunder: and I heard the voice of harpers harping with their harps:3And they sung as it were a new song before the throne, and before the four beasts, and the elders: and no man could learn that song but the hundred and forty and four thousand, which were redeemed from the earth.4These are they which were not defiled with women; for they are virgins. These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth. These were redeemed from among men, being the firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb.5And in their mouth was found no guile: for they are without fault before the throne of God.
Luke
1And he looked up, and saw the rich men casting their gifts into the treasury.2And he saw also a certain poor widow casting in thither two mites.3And he said, Of a truth I say unto you, that this poor widow hath cast in more than they all:4For all these have of their abundance cast in unto the offerings of God: but she of her penury hath cast in all the living that she had.
Sermon
In today’s readings, we encounter powerful images of faithfulness and generosity. The first reading from Revelation presents a vision of the Lamb, Jesus, standing on Mount Zion with 144,000 followers who are redeemed and pure. They sing a new song before God, a song that only they can sing. This passage, written in a time of persecution, encourages believers to remain faithful, knowing that their ultimate reward is near. The second reading from Luke tells the story of a poor widow who, despite her poverty, gives her last two coins to the temple. Jesus praises her, not for the amount she gave, but for the sacrifice she made. While the wealthy gave from their surplus, she gave from her need, demonstrating extraordinary generosity.
These readings are connected by the theme of self-giving love. In Revelation, the 144,000 are completely dedicated to the Lamb, following him wherever he goes. They are unblemished and truthful, living lives of integrity. In Luke, the widow’s act of giving everything she had reflects a similar total commitment to God. Both passages challenge us to examine our own relationship with God and with others. Are we holding back, or are we giving fully, even when it is difficult?
Let us reflect on how we can live with the same faithfulness and generosity. In our daily lives, we are called to follow Christ without reservation, even when it requires sacrifice. Like the widow, we are invited to give from our own poverty, whether that is financial, emotional, or spiritual. True generosity is not measured by what we have, but by the love with which we give. May we strive to live with the integrity and selflessness modeled in today’s readings, trusting that our sacrifices will bear fruit in God’s kingdom.