Daily Readings - Sun Dec 01 2024

¹⁴Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will perform that good thing which I have promised unto the house of Israel and to the house of Judah.¹⁵In those days, and at that time, will I cause the Branch of righteousness to grow up unto David; and he shall execute judgment and righteousness in the land.¹⁶In those days shall Judah be saved, and Jerusalem shall dwell safely: and this is the name wherewith she shall be called, The LORD our righteousness.

1 Thessalonians

Chapter 3

¹²And the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all men, even as we do toward you:¹³To the end he may stablish your hearts unblameable in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints.

Chapter 4

¹Furthermore then we beseech you, brethren, and exhort you by the Lord Jesus, that as ye have received of us how ye ought to walk and to please God, so ye would abound more and more.²For ye know what commandments we gave you by the Lord Jesus.

Luke

Chapter 21

²⁵And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring;²⁶Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken.²⁷And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.²⁸And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.³⁴And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares.³⁵For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth.³⁶Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.

Sermon

In today’s readings, we are presented with a tapestry of hope, preparation, and the call to live justly. The prophet Jeremiah speaks of a future where God’s promise of justice and restoration is fulfilled through a leader from David’s line, a prophecy realized in Jesus Christ. This message, born out of the hope during the Babylonian exile, reminds us of God’s faithfulness and the ultimate restoration He promises. The second reading from Thessalonians encourages believers to abound in love and live blamelessly, preparing for the Lord’s return. Paul’s words resonate with the early Christian communities, emphasizing ethical living and readiness for Christ’s coming. This ties seamlessly into the Gospel, where Jesus describes the signs of the end times and urges His disciples to remain vigilant and prayerful, not to be swayed by worldly distractions. These readings weave together the themes of hope, justice, and preparation. Jeremiah’s prophecy finds its fulfillment in Jesus, who embodies justice and restoration. Thessalonians calls us to live in love and readiness, while the Gospel warns against complacency, encouraging us to stay alert and focused on our faith. As we navigate our daily lives, let us embrace this call to live with purpose, trusting in God’s plan and maintaining hope in His promises. May we stay vigilant, grounded in love and justice, ever-ready to stand before the Son of Man.