Daily Readings - Sun Nov 28 2021

¹⁴"'The days are coming,' declares the LORD, 'when I will fulfill the gracious promise I made to the house of Israel and to the house of Judah.¹⁵"'In those days and at that time I will make a righteous Branch sprout from David's line; he will do what is just and right in the land.¹⁶In those days Judah will be saved and Jerusalem will live in safety. This is the name by which it will be called: The LORD Our Righteousness.'

1 Thessalonians

Chapter 3

¹²May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you.¹³May he strengthen your hearts so that you will be blameless and holy in the presence of our God and Father when our Lord Jesus comes with all his holy ones.

Chapter 4

¹Finally, brothers, we instructed you how to live in order to please God, as in fact you are living. Now we ask you and urge you in the Lord Jesus to do this more and more.²For you know what instructions we gave you by the authority of the Lord Jesus.

Luke

Chapter 21

²⁵"There will be signs in the sun, moon and stars. On the earth, nations will be in anguish and perplexity at the roaring and tossing of the sea.²⁶Men will faint from terror, apprehensive of what is coming on the world, for the heavenly bodies will be shaken.²⁷At that time they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.²⁸When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near."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 invited to reflect on the themes of expectation, moral living, and preparedness. The prophet Jeremiah speaks of a future time when God will fulfill His promise to Israel and Judah, bringing justice and restoration through a messianic figure. This message of hope is set against the backdrop of exile, offering comfort to a people in despair. The second reading from Thessalonians encourages believers to live in a way that pleases God, abounding in love and maintaining moral integrity as they await the return of the Lord. The Gospel from Luke, part of Jesus' Olivet discourse, urges vigilance and prayer as signs of the end times unfold, reminding us to stay alert and prepared for the Lord's coming. Each reading, though distinct, weaves together a narrative of expectation and readiness. Jeremiah's prophecy points to the hope of justice and restoration, while Thessalonians emphasizes the importance of living a virtuous life as we anticipate the Lord's return. Luke's passage, with its imagery of cosmic signs and the urgency to remain vigilant, underscores the need for constant prayer and mindfulness. Together, these readings remind us that our faith is rooted in hope and that our actions should reflect our commitment to living according to God's will. As we apply these teachings to our daily lives, we are called to cultivate hope, live with integrity, and remain prayerful. Let us trust in God's promises, striving to love more deeply and live more justly. May we approach each day with the readiness of those who know that our redemption is near, trusting in God's plan and living faithfully in His grace.