Daily Catholic Mass Readings for November 28, 2020
First Reading: Revelation 22.1-7
1Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb2down the middle of the great street of the city. On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations.3No longer will there be any curse. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city, and his servants will serve him.4They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads.5There will be no more night. They will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, for the Lord God will give them light. And they will reign for ever and ever.6The angel said to me, "These words are trustworthy and true. The Lord, the God of the spirits of the prophets, sent his angel to show his servants the things that must soon take place."7"Behold, I am coming soon! Blessed is he who keeps the words of the prophecy in this book."
Psalm 95
1Come, let us sing for joy to the LORD; let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation.2Let us come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song.3For the LORD is the great God, the great King above all gods.4In his hand are the depths of the earth, and the mountain peaks belong to him.5The sea is his, for he made it, and his hands formed the dry land.6Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the LORD our Maker;7for he is our God and we are the people of his pasture, the flock under his care. Today, if you hear his voice,8do not harden your hearts as you did at Meribah, as you did that day at Massah in the desert,9where your fathers tested and tried me, though they had seen what I did.10For forty years I was angry with that generation; I said, "They are a people whose hearts go astray, and they have not known my ways."11So I declared on oath in my anger, "They shall never enter my rest."
Gospel: Luke 21.34-36
34"Be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down with dissipation, drunkenness and the anxieties of life, and that day will close on you unexpectedly like a trap.35For it will come upon all those who live on the face of the whole earth.36Be always on the watch, and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen, and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man."
Sermon
In today's readings, we are presented with vivid imagery and profound teachings that guide us toward a deeper understanding of our faith. The first reading from Revelation 22:1-7 paints a picture of the heavenly Jerusalem, where the river of life flows from God's throne, and the Tree of Life bears fruit for the healing of nations. This vision is a testament to God's promise of eternal life and the ultimate triumph over suffering. The Gospel from Luke 21:34-36, however, shifts our focus to the present, as Jesus warns us against being consumed by the cares of this world. He urges us to remain vigilant and prayerful, so that we may stand before Him when He comes again.
These readings, though different in tone, are deeply connected. Revelation offers us a glimpse of the eternal life we are called to, while Luke reminds us of the necessary preparation and mindfulness required to attain it. The apocalyptic vision in Revelation is not merely a future hope but a present reality that shapes how we live each day. Jesus' words in Luke serve as a call to action, encouraging us to detach from worldly distractions and remain focused on our spiritual journey. Together, they remind us that our ultimate goal is to stand before God, and this requires constant vigilance and prayer.
As we reflect on these readings, let us consider how they apply to our daily lives. In a world filled with distractions and temptations, it is easy to lose sight of what truly matters. Yet, Jesus calls us to be vigilant, to pray always, and to keep our hearts fixed on Him. The vision in Revelation reminds us that our struggles are not in vain, for God's plan is one of ultimate restoration and peace. Let us, therefore, live each day with hope and trust in God's plan, keeping our eyes fixed on the eternal life He promises. May we remain faithful and steadfast, ready to stand before the Son of Man when He comes.