Daily Readings - Sun Dec 02 2018

¹⁴"'The days are coming,' declares the LORD, 'when I will fulfill the gracious promise I made to the house of Israel and to the house of Judah.¹⁵"'In those days and at that time I will make a righteous Branch sprout from David's line; he will do what is just and right in the land.¹⁶In those days Judah will be saved and Jerusalem will live in safety. This is the name by which it will be called: The LORD Our Righteousness.'

1 Thessalonians

Chapter 3

¹²May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you.¹³May he strengthen your hearts so that you will be blameless and holy in the presence of our God and Father when our Lord Jesus comes with all his holy ones.

Chapter 4

¹Finally, brothers, we instructed you how to live in order to please God, as in fact you are living. Now we ask you and urge you in the Lord Jesus to do this more and more.²For you know what instructions we gave you by the authority of the Lord Jesus.

Luke

Chapter 21

²⁵"There will be signs in the sun, moon and stars. On the earth, nations will be in anguish and perplexity at the roaring and tossing of the sea.²⁶Men will faint from terror, apprehensive of what is coming on the world, for the heavenly bodies will be shaken.²⁷At that time they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.²⁸When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near."³⁴"Be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down with dissipation, drunkenness and the anxieties of life, and that day will close on you unexpectedly like a trap.³⁵For it will come upon all those who live on the face of the whole earth.³⁶Be always on the watch, and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen, and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man."

Sermon

In today's readings, we are invited to reflect on the themes of hope, preparation, and vigilance as we await the Lord's return. The Prophet Jeremiah speaks of a future time when God will fulfill His promise of justice and redemption, symbolized by a shoot from David—Jesus Christ. This passage reminds us of the enduring hope that God's promises bring, even in uncertain times. The Second Reading from 1 Thessalonians encourages us to live lives of love and holiness, abounding in charity and pleasing God as we wait for the Lord's return. It emphasizes the importance of moral living and being prepared, highlighting our responsibility to live in a way that reflects our faith. The Gospel from Luke vividly describes the end times, urging us to remain vigilant and prayerful. It cautions against being weighed down by worldly concerns, reminding us to stay alert and focused on our spiritual lives. Together, these readings remind us to live with hope, preparing for the future by staying grounded in our faith and being ready to stand before the Son of Man. As we apply these teachings to our daily lives, we are called to trust in God's promises, live with moral integrity, and remain vigilant. Let us embrace the hope of redemption, live with purpose, and stay spiritually alert, ever ready to meet our Lord. May we find strength in prayer and live in anticipation of His return, trusting in His plan for us.