Daily Readings - Mon Nov 01 2021
Revelation
2Then I saw another angel coming up from the east, having the seal of the living God. He called out in a loud voice to the four angels who had been given power to harm the land and the sea:3"Do not harm the land or the sea or the trees until we put a seal on the foreheads of the servants of our God."4Then I heard the number of those who were sealed: 144,000 from all the tribes of Israel.9After this I looked and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and in front of the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands.10And they cried out in a loud voice: "Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb."11All the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures. They fell down on their faces before the throne and worshiped God,12saying: "Amen! Praise and glory and wisdom and thanks and honor and power and strength be to our God for ever and ever. Amen!"13Then one of the elders asked me, "These in white robes--who are they, and where did they come from?"14I answered, "Sir, you know."
1 John
1How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him.2Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when he appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is.3Everyone who has this hope in him purifies himself, just as he is pure.
Matthew
1Now when he saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him,2and he began to teach them saying:3"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.4Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.5Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.6Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.7Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.8Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.9Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.10Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.11"Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me.12Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
Sermon
The readings today offer us a vision of hope, unity, and the ultimate triumph of God’s plan. In the first reading from Revelation, we are shown a glimpse of the heavenly multitude—144,000 sealed servants of God from every tribe of Israel and a countless number from all nations, tribes, and languages. This vision emphasizes that God’s salvation is universal, extending to all people, and that His plan includes the redemption of the entire world. The white robes and palm branches symbolize purity and victory, while the worship of the Lamb underscores the central role of Christ in God’s plan of salvation. The reading reminds us that, despite the trials and tribulations of this world, there is a future where all of God’s people will stand together in worship and adoration.
The second reading from 1 John deepens this theme by reminding us of our identity as children of God. John writes that we are already called the sons and daughters of God, but our truest form is yet to be revealed. When Christ appears, we will be like Him, for we will see Him as He is. This hope calls us to live holy lives, striving to imitate Christ in our thoughts, words, and actions. John’s words encourage us to look beyond the present moment, knowing that our ultimate fulfillment lies in union with God. This hope is not passive; it is a call to action, urging us to live in a way that reflects our divine adoption.
In the Gospel, Jesus teaches us the Beatitudes, which are the characteristics of those who live as children of God. The poor in spirit, the meek, the mournful, the merciful, the pure of heart, the peacemakers, and those who endure persecution for justice—these are the ones who will inherit the kingdom of heaven. The Beatitudes are not just moral guidelines; they are a way of life that reflects the heart of God. They call us to humility, compassion, and a willingness to suffer for what is right. Jesus’ words challenge us to reevaluate our priorities and to seek holiness in the midst of a world that often values the opposite.
Today’s readings remind us that we are called to live as children of God, trusting in His plan and striving to reflect His love and holiness in our lives. The vision of Revelation, the hope expressed in 1 John, and the Beatitudes all point us to the same truth: our ultimate destiny is union with God, and our lives should be shaped by this hope. Let us embrace the call to live as God’s children, trusting in His promise and striving to be holy, even as He is holy.