Daily Readings - Sun Nov 18 2018
Daniel
1"At that time Michael, the great prince who protects your people, will arise. There will be a time of distress such as has not happened from the beginning of nations until then. But at that time your people-everyone whose name is found written in the book-will be delivered.2Multitudes who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake: some to everlasting life, others to shame and everlasting contempt.3Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars for ever and ever.
Hebrews
11Day after day every priest stands and performs his religious duties; again and again he offers the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins.12But when this priest had offered for all time one sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God.13Since that time he waits for his enemies to be made his footstool,14because by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy.18And where these have been forgiven, there is no longer any sacrifice for sin.
Mark
24"But in those days, following that distress, "'the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light;25the stars will fall from the sky, and the heavenly bodies will be shaken.'26"At that time men will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory.27And he will send his angels and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of the heavens.28"Now learn this lesson from the fig tree: As soon as its twigs get tender and its leaves come out, you know that summer is near.29Even so, when you see these things happening, you know that it is near, right at the door.30I tell you the truth, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened.31Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.32"No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on the ultimate triumph of God’s plan and the call to live with hope and readiness. In the first reading from Daniel, we hear of a time of great distress but also of salvation for God’s people. Michael, the great protector, will rise, and those whose names are written in the book will be saved. The passage reminds us that even in the darkest moments, God’s justice and mercy will prevail. The second reading from Hebrews shifts our focus to the present reality of our salvation. It contrasts the endless sacrifices of the old covenant with the single, perfect sacrifice of Christ, which has already achieved our sanctification. This reminds us that our salvation is not something we wait for in the future but is already a present reality through Christ’s work.
The Gospel from Mark takes us to the end times, where we see cosmic upheaval and the coming of the Son of Man in power and glory. Jesus urges us to discern the signs of the times and to be ready, just as we know summer is near when we see the fig tree bloom. This passage is not meant to frighten us but to encourage us to live with purpose and vigilance, trusting in God’s promise that his word will endure even when all else passes away. Together, these readings remind us that our faith is rooted in the past (Christ’s sacrifice), lived in the present (our sanctification), and directed toward the future (the final triumph of God).
As we apply these readings to our daily lives, let us remember that we are called to live as people who are already saved but still await the fullness of God’s kingdom. This means living with gratitude for the gift of salvation, trusting in God’s plan even when the world around us seems uncertain, and being faithful in our daily lives. May we shine like the stars in the firmament, as Daniel says, by living justly and teaching others the ways of justice. Let us also remember that our ultimate hope is not in the things of this world but in the eternal word of God, which will never pass away.