Daily Catholic Mass Readings for November 1, 2017
First Reading: Revelation 7.2-4, 9-14
2Then I saw another angel coming up from the east, having the seal of the living God. He called out in a loud voice to the four angels who had been given power to harm the land and the sea:3"Do not harm the land or the sea or the trees until we put a seal on the foreheads of the servants of our God."4Then I heard the number of those who were sealed: 144,000 from all the tribes of Israel.9After this I looked and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and in front of the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands.10And they cried out in a loud voice: "Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb."11All the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures. They fell down on their faces before the throne and worshiped God,12saying: "Amen! Praise and glory and wisdom and thanks and honor and power and strength be to our God for ever and ever. Amen!"13Then one of the elders asked me, "These in white robes--who are they, and where did they come from?"14I answered, "Sir, you know."
Psalm 24
1The earth is the LORD's, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it;2for he founded it upon the seas and established it upon the waters.3Who may ascend the hill of the LORD? Who may stand in his holy place?4He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to an idol or swear by what is false.5He will receive blessing from the LORD and vindication from God his Savior.6Such is the generation of those who seek him, who seek your face, O God of Jacob. Selah7Lift up your heads, O you gates; be lifted up, you ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in.8Who is this King of glory? The LORD strong and mighty, the LORD mighty in battle.9Lift up your heads, O you gates; lift them up, you ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in.10Who is he, this King of glory? The LORD Almighty- he is the King of glory. Selah
Second Reading: 1 John 3.1-3
1How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him.2Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when he appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is.3Everyone who has this hope in him purifies himself, just as he is pure.
Gospel: Matthew 5.1-12a
1Now when he saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him,2and he began to teach them saying:3"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.4Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.5Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.6Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.7Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.8Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.9Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.10Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.11"Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me.12Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
Sermon
In today’s readings, we are invited to reflect on the hope of eternal life and the call to live as children of God. The first reading from Revelation paints a vivid picture of the heavenly liturgy, where a great multitude from all nations stands before the throne of God, clothed in white robes, praising him for salvation. This vision reminds us that our ultimate destiny is to be united with God in eternal worship, and that this unity transcends every division of nationality, language, or culture. The 144,000 sealed servants of God represent the chosen ones, but the greater crowd that no one could number shows that God’s mercy and salvation extend far beyond any limited understanding.
The second reading from 1 John deepens this theme by emphasizing our identity as children of God. John reminds us that we are already called to be God’s sons and daughters, but our true fulfillment lies in what we shall be when Christ appears. This hope transforms us, urging us to live holy lives, for we are called to be like God who is holy. Our present struggles and imperfections are temporary, for when Christ comes again, we shall see him as he is and share in his glory.
In the Gospel, Matthew presents the Beatitudes, which are not just blessings but a blueprint for living as children of God. Jesus teaches that true happiness comes from humility, compassion, and a thirst for justice. Those who are poor in spirit, meek, merciful, and pure in heart are not only blessed but are called to be peacemakers and to endure persecution for the sake of righteousness. These teachings challenge us to reevaluate our values and priorities, to embrace a life of simplicity, forgiveness, and trust in God’s providence.
These readings remind us that our lives are not measured by earthly success or comfort but by our fidelity to God’s will and our love for others. As we journey through life’s trials, we are called to keep our eyes fixed on the hope of eternal life, to live with integrity, and to trust that God’s plan will unfold in his time. Let us strive to be among those who wear the white robes of purity, who have endured tribulation, and who now worship God in heaven. May we live each day with the hope of seeing God face to face and with the courage to be his faithful children in a world that often does not know him.