Daily Readings - Tue Nov 24 2020
Revelation
14I looked, and there before me was a white cloud, and seated on the cloud was one "like a son of man" with a crown of gold on his head and a sharp sickle in his hand.15Then another angel came out of the temple and called in a loud voice to him who was sitting on the cloud, "Take your sickle and reap, because the time to reap has come, for the harvest of the earth is ripe."16So he who was seated on the cloud swung his sickle over the earth, and the earth was harvested.17Another angel came out of the temple in heaven, and he too had a sharp sickle.18Still another angel, who had charge of the fire, came from the altar and called in a loud voice to him who had the sharp sickle, "Take your sharp sickle and gather the clusters of grapes from the earth's vine, because its grapes are ripe."19The angel swung his sickle on the earth, gathered its grapes and threw them into the great winepress of God's wrath.
Luke
5Some of his disciples were remarking about how the temple was adorned with beautiful stones and with gifts dedicated to God. But Jesus said,6"As for what you see here, the time will come when not one stone will be left on another; every one of them will be thrown down."7"Teacher," they asked, "when will these things happen? And what will be the sign that they are about to take place?"8He replied: "Watch out that you are not deceived. For many will come in my name, claiming, 'I am he,' and, 'The time is near.' Do not follow them.9When you hear of wars and revolutions, do not be frightened. These things must happen first, but the end will not come right away."10Then he said to them: "Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom.11There will be great earthquakes, famines and pestilences in various places, and fearful events and great signs from heaven.
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on the themes of judgment, perseverance, and trust in God's plan. In the first reading from Revelation, we encounter a vivid vision of the end times, where a figure on a cloud harvests the earth with a sickle, and angels execute God's judgment. This imagery, while dramatic, reminds us that God's justice will ultimately prevail, separating good from evil. The second reading from Luke presents Jesus warning his disciples about the destruction of the temple and the challenges of the end times. He cautions against false prophets and advises steadfastness amidst turmoil, emphasizing that these events, though unsettling, are not the end but part of a larger divine plan.
Both readings, though differing in style, share common themes of judgment and the necessity of faith. Revelation's apocalyptic imagery symbolizes God's ultimate triumph, while Luke's passage offers practical wisdom on navigating life's uncertainties. Together, they remind us to stay vigilant and rooted in our faith, trusting that God's plan unfolds even amidst chaos.
In our daily lives, these readings encourage us to remain steadfast and discerning. We are to trust in God's justice and plan, even when faced with challenges. The moral lesson here is one of trust and perseverance—keeping our focus on God amidst life's turmoil, ensuring our actions and hearts are aligned with His will.