Daily Readings - Sun Nov 02 2025
Revelation
1And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.2And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.3And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.4And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.5And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.6And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely.7He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.
Luke
11And it came to pass the day after, that he went into a city called Nain; and many of his disciples went with him, and much people.12Now when he came nigh to the gate of the city, behold, there was a dead man carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow: and much people of the city was with her.13And when the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her, and said unto her, Weep not.14And he came and touched the bier: and they that bare him stood still. And he said, Young man, I say unto thee, Arise.15And he that was dead sat up, and began to speak. And he delivered him to his mother.16And there came a fear on all: and they glorified God, saying, That a great prophet is risen up among us; and, That God hath visited his people.17And this rumour of him went forth throughout all Judaea, and throughout all the region round about.
Sermon
The readings today offer us a profound reflection on hope, trust in God, and the ultimate triumph of life over death. In the first reading from the Book of Wisdom, we hear about the souls of the just who, though they may seem to die in the eyes of the foolish, are in fact at peace in the hand of God. Their suffering is not the end but a purification, like gold refined in a furnace, and they will shine in the time of God’s visitation. This passage reminds us that our earthly struggles are not the final word; there is an eternal life where the faithful will judge nations and reign with God.
The second reading from Revelation paints a vivid picture of the new heaven and the new earth, where God dwells with humanity, wiping away every tear and ending death and mourning. This vision is a promise of renewal and restoration, assuring us that all things will be made new. It invites us to trust in God’s plan and to long for the day when we will live in his presence without pain or sorrow. This hope is not just for the future; it is a reality that shapes how we live today.
In the Gospel, Luke tells the story of Jesus raising the widow’s only son. Moved by compassion, Jesus touches the coffin and restores the young man to life. This miracle is not just a display of power but a revelation of God’s heart—a heart that beats with love and mercy. The crowd’s response—glorifying God and recognizing his presence among them—reminds us that faith is awakened when we encounter God’s love and power. Like the widow, we are called to trust in Jesus, even in our darkest moments, knowing that he is the Lord of life and death.
These readings remind us that our faith is rooted in hope. Even in the midst of suffering and death, we are called to trust in God’s plan and to see beyond the present moment. Like the souls of the just, we are being purified in this life so that we might shine in eternity. Like the widow, we are invited to encounter Jesus, who brings life and hope to those who are hurting. Let us live with this hope, trusting that God will make all things new, and let us show compassion to those around us, just as Jesus did. In him, we have the promise of eternal life, and in him, we find the strength to face whatever comes our way.