Daily Readings - Tue Nov 02 2021
Job
1Then Job replied:23"Oh, that my words were recorded, that they were written on a scroll,24that they were inscribed with an iron tool on lead, or engraved in rock forever!25I know that my Redeemer lives, and that in the end he will stand upon the earth.26And after my skin has been destroyed, yet in my flesh I will see God;27I myself will see him with my own eyes-I, and not another. How my heart yearns within me!
1 Corinthians
20But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.21For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man.22For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive.23But each in his own turn: Christ, the firstfruits; then, when he comes, those who belong to him.
John
23Jesus replied, "The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified.24I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds.25The man who loves his life will lose it, while the man who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life.26Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me.
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter profound reflections on hope, resurrection, and the transformative power of faith. The Book of Job presents a man in the depths of suffering, yet unwavering in his belief in a Redeemer who will restore him. Job's words are a testament to the enduring human spirit, which, even in darkness, clings to the promise of eternal life. His hope is not in temporary comfort but in the ultimate victory over death, a hope that resonates deeply with the Christian belief in the resurrection.
The Second Reading from 1 Corinthians expands this vision, revealing that Christ's resurrection is the pivotal moment in human history. Through Adam, death entered the world, but through Christ, life is restored. Paul emphasizes that Christ's resurrection is not an isolated event but the first fruits of a greater harvest, where all believers will be united with Him. This passage invites us to see our lives within the broader narrative of salvation, where our struggles and sorrows are not ends in themselves but steps toward eternal life.
In the Gospel, Jesus teaches that true life comes through self-sacrifice. Using the image of the grain of wheat, He illustrates that only by dying to oneself can one bear fruit. This is not a call to self-destruction but to a life of love and service. Jesus' words challenge us to reevaluate our priorities, letting go of our attachment to worldly comforts and ambitions, and instead embracing a life of discipleship. As we follow Him, we discover that the path to true glory is through humility and service.
These readings remind us that our faith is rooted in the hope of resurrection. Like Job, we may face trials, but we can trust that our Redeemer lives. Like the early Christians, we are part of a larger story where Christ's victory over death is our own. And like the disciples, we are called to live lives of self-giving love. May we, in our daily lives, embody this hope, trusting that even in death, God brings forth new life.