Daily Readings - Fri Nov 27 2020
Revelation
1And I saw an angel coming down out of heaven, having the key to the Abyss and holding in his hand a great chain.2He seized the dragon, that ancient serpent, who is the devil, or Satan, and bound him for a thousand years.3He threw him into the Abyss, and locked and sealed it over him, to keep him from deceiving the nations anymore until the thousand years were ended. After that, he must be set free for a short time.4I saw thrones on which were seated those who had been given authority to judge. And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded because of their testimony for Jesus and because of the word of God. They had not worshiped the beast or his image and had not received his mark on their foreheads or their hands. They came to life and reigned with Christ a thousand years.11Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. Earth and sky fled from his presence, and there was no place for them.12And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the book of life. The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books.13The sea gave up the dead that were in it, and death and Hades gave up the dead that were in them, and each person was judged according to what he had done.14Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. The lake of fire is the second death.15If anyone's name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.
Luke
29He told them this parable: "Look at the fig tree and all the trees.30When they sprout leaves, you can see for yourselves and know that summer is near.31Even so, when you see these things happening, you know that the kingdom of God is near.32"I tell you the truth, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened.33Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on the ultimate triumph of God’s plan and the hope that sustains us in the face of uncertainty. In the first reading from Revelation, we are given a vision of the end times: Satan is bound, the martyrs reign with Christ, and the final judgment unfolds. This apocalyptic imagery is not meant to frighten but to reassure us that God’s justice and mercy will prevail. The vision of the new heaven and the new earth reminds us that our ultimate destiny is not this broken world but a world transformed by God’s love. The Book of Life, in which the names of the faithful are written, is a powerful reminder that our lives are not judged by earthly standards but by our fidelity to God’s Word.
In the Gospel, Jesus uses the parable of the fig tree to teach us about vigilance and trust in God’s timing. Just as the changing of the seasons is a natural and predictable process, so too are the signs of God’s kingdom unfolding in the world. Jesus assures us that while heaven and earth may pass away, His words will endure forever. This is a call to live with hope and confidence, knowing that God’s plan is being fulfilled, even when we cannot see it clearly.
These readings challenge us to live with our eyes fixed on eternity while being faithful in the present. They remind us that our struggles and uncertainties are not the final word. In a world that often seems dominated by darkness and division, we are called to trust in God’s promise of a new heaven and a new earth. Let us strive to live in such a way that our names are written in the Book of Life, and let us remain vigilant, knowing that the kingdom of God is near. May we find strength in the assurance that God’s Word endures forever, guiding us through every trial and leading us to eternal life.