Daily Catholic Mass Readings for November 15, 2019
First Reading: Wisdom 13.1-9
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Psalm 19
1The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.2Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they display knowledge.3There is no speech or language where their voice is not heard.4Their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world. In the heavens he has pitched a tent for the sun,5which is like a bridegroom coming forth from his pavilion, like a champion rejoicing to run his course.6It rises at one end of the heavens and makes its circuit to the other; nothing is hidden from its heat.7The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul. The statutes of the LORD are trustworthy, making wise the simple.8The precepts of the LORD are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the LORD are radiant, giving light to the eyes.9The fear of the LORD is pure, enduring forever. The ordinances of the LORD are sure and altogether righteous.10They are more precious than gold, than much pure gold; they are sweeter than honey, than honey from the comb.11By them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward.12Who can discern his errors? Forgive my hidden faults.13Keep your servant also from willful sins; may they not rule over me. Then will I be blameless, innocent of great transgression.14May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.
Gospel: Luke 17.26-37
26"Just as it was in the days of Noah, so also will it be in the days of the Son of Man.27People were eating, drinking, marrying and being given in marriage up to the day Noah entered the ark. Then the flood came and destroyed them all.28"It was the same in the days of Lot. People were eating and drinking, buying and selling, planting and building.29But the day Lot left Sodom, fire and sulfur rained down from heaven and destroyed them all.30"It will be just like this on the day the Son of Man is revealed.31On that day no one who is on the roof of his house, with his goods inside, should go down to get them. Likewise, no one in the field should go back for anything.32Remember Lot's wife!33Whoever tries to keep his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life will preserve it.34I tell you, on that night two people will be in one bed; one will be taken and the other left.35Two women will be grinding grain together; one will be taken and the other left."36Verse omitted from the New International Version37"Where, Lord?" they asked. He replied, "Where there is a dead body, there the vultures will gather."
Sermon
In today’s readings, we are reminded of the importance of recognizing God’s presence in our lives and staying vigilant in our faith. The first reading from the Book of Wisdom warns us against the tendency to worship creation rather than the Creator. It highlights how people often fail to see God’s hand in the beauty and complexity of the world around them, instead attributing divine status to natural elements or human achievements. This passage serves as a call to discernment, urging us to look beyond the surface of things and to acknowledge the divine author of all creation.
The Gospel reading from Luke complements this theme by emphasizing the need for spiritual preparedness. Jesus uses the examples of Noah’s flood and the destruction of Sodom to illustrate how sudden and unexpected the coming of the Son of Man will be. He warns against becoming so engrossed in worldly concerns that we lose sight of what truly matters. The image of people going about their daily lives—eating, drinking, buying, selling—only to be caught off guard by disaster, is a stark reminder that our ultimate destiny is not tied to this world but to the kingdom of God.
These readings invite us to reflect on our own lives. How often do we, like those in the first reading, fail to see God’s hand in the world around us? How often do we, like those in the Gospel, allow ourselves to become so consumed by the routines and distractions of daily life that we neglect our spiritual well-being? The moral lesson here is clear: we must cultivate a deeper awareness of God’s presence in our lives and remain vigilant in our pursuit of holiness. This means being detached from worldly attachments and instead fixing our hearts on what is eternal. As Jesus says, “Wherever the body will be, the eagles shall be gathered together.” Let us strive to be among those who are ready to follow Him wherever He leads.