Daily Catholic Mass Readings for November 21, 2019
First Reading: 1 Maccabees 2.15-29
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Psalm 50
1The Mighty One, God, the LORD, speaks and summons the earth from the rising of the sun to the place where it sets.2From Zion, perfect in beauty, God shines forth.3Our God comes and will not be silent; a fire devours before him, and around him a tempest rages.4He summons the heavens above, and the earth, that he may judge his people:5"Gather to me my consecrated ones, who made a covenant with me by sacrifice."6And the heavens proclaim his righteousness, for God himself is judge. Selah7"Hear, O my people, and I will speak, O Israel, and I will testify against you: I am God, your God.8I do not rebuke you for your sacrifices or your burnt offerings, which are ever before me.9I have no need of a bull from your stall or of goats from your pens,10for every animal of the forest is mine, and the cattle on a thousand hills.11I know every bird in the mountains, and the creatures of the field are mine.12If I were hungry I would not tell you, for the world is mine, and all that is in it.13Do I eat the flesh of bulls or drink the blood of goats?14Sacrifice thank offerings to God, fulfill your vows to the Most High,15and call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you will honor me."16But to the wicked, God says: "What right have you to recite my laws or take my covenant on your lips?17You hate my instruction and cast my words behind you.18When you see a thief, you join with him; you throw in your lot with adulterers.19You use your mouth for evil and harness your tongue to deceit.20You speak continually against your brother and slander your own mother's son.21These things you have done and I kept silent; you thought I was altogether like you. But I will rebuke you and accuse you to your face.22"Consider this, you who forget God, or I will tear you to pieces, with none to rescue:23He who sacrifices thank offerings honors me, and he prepares the way so that I may show him the salvation of God."
Gospel: Luke 19.41-44
41As he approached Jerusalem and saw the city, he wept over it42and said, "If you, even you, had only known on this day what would bring you peace--but now it is hidden from your eyes.43The days will come upon you when your enemies will build an embankment against you and encircle you and hem you in on every side.44They will dash you to the ground, you and the children within your walls. They will not leave one stone on another, because you did not recognize the time of God's coming to you."
Sermon
In today’s readings, we encounter powerful stories of faith, courage, and the consequences of rejecting God’s will. The first reading from 1 Maccabees tells the story of Mattathias, a Jewish priest who refused to comply with King Antiochus’ decree to abandon the law of God. When a Jew approached the altar to sacrifice to idols, Mattathias, filled with righteous anger and fidelity to the law, killed both the man and the king’s emissary. His bold act of defiance became a rallying cry for those who sought to remain faithful to God. This passage reminds us that true faith requires courage and the willingness to stand firm, even in the face of overwhelming opposition.
The Gospel reading from Luke presents a stark contrast. Jesus weeps over Jerusalem, lamenting the city’s failure to recognize “the time of your visitation.” He foresees the destruction that will come upon the city because its people did not accept the peace God offered through him. Jesus’ sorrow reveals the depth of God’s love and the tragedy of spiritual blindness. Just as Mattathias stood firm in his faith, Jesus calls us to remain open to God’s presence and to recognize the gifts of grace He offers us.
Both readings challenge us to reflect on our own relationship with God. Mattathias’ courage inspires us to stand firm in our faith, even when it is difficult. Jesus’ lament reminds us to remain attentive to God’s presence in our lives and to embrace the peace He offers. In a world filled with distractions and temptations, we are called to be faithful and discerning, trusting in God’s plan and remaining open to His will. Let us strive to live with the courage of Mattathias and the humility to recognize God’s visitation in our lives.