Daily Readings - Thu Nov 19 2020
Revelation
1Then I saw in the right hand of him who sat on the throne a scroll with writing on both sides and sealed with seven seals.2And I saw a mighty angel proclaiming in a loud voice, "Who is worthy to break the seals and open the scroll?"3But no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth could open the scroll or even look inside it.4I wept and wept because no one was found who was worthy to open the scroll or look inside.5Then one of the elders said to me, "Do not weep! See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed. He is able to open the scroll and its seven seals."6Then I saw a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain, standing in the center of the throne, encircled by the four living creatures and the elders. He had seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth.7He came and took the scroll from the right hand of him who sat on the throne.8And when he had taken it, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp and they were holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints.9And they sang a new song: "You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased men for God from every tribe and language and people and nation.10You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign on the earth."
Luke
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 visions and poignant laments that invite us to reflect on God's plan and our response to it. The first reading from Revelation presents a dramatic scene where a sealed book, symbolizing God's plan, can only be opened by the Lamb, who is Jesus. This imagery underscores Jesus' role as the Messiah, worthy of opening the seals and revealing God's will. The passage from Luke, however, shifts our focus to Jesus weeping over Jerusalem, expressing sorrow over the city's failure to recognize the time of its visitation, which foretells its impending destruction.
These readings, while distinct in tone, share a common theme: the recognition of God's presence and plan. Revelation, written in a time of persecution, offers hope to early Christians through the vision of Jesus as the Lamb, emphasizing His divine authority and the unfolding of God's plan. In contrast, Luke's narrative highlights the consequences of spiritual blindness, as Jerusalem's inability to recognize Jesus leads to tragedy. Together, they remind us of the importance of spiritual awareness and the need to discern God's presence in our lives.
In our daily lives, these readings encourage us to be attentive to God's invitations and to respond with openness and faith. Just as the Lamb in Revelation is worthy to open the seals, we are called to recognize Jesus' presence and allow His will to guide us. Like Jerusalem, we face moments where our response to God's call can lead to either peace or turmoil. Let us reflect on how we welcome God into our hearts and lives, striving to recognize His visitation and embrace His plan, thereby finding peace and avoiding the sorrow of missed opportunities.