Daily Readings - Mon Nov 21 2022
Revelation
1Then I looked, and there before me was the Lamb, standing on Mount Zion, and with him 144,000 who had his name and his Father's name written on their foreheads.2And I heard a sound from heaven like the roar of rushing waters and like a loud peal of thunder. The sound I heard was like that of harpists playing their harps.3And they sang a new song before the throne and before the four living creatures and the elders. No one could learn the song except the 144,000 who had been redeemed from the earth.4These are those who did not defile themselves with women, for they kept themselves pure. They follow the Lamb wherever he goes. They were purchased from among men and offered as firstfruits to God and the Lamb.5No lie was found in their mouths; they are blameless.
Luke
1As he looked up, Jesus saw the rich putting their gifts into the temple treasury.2He also saw a poor widow put in two very small copper coins.3"I tell you the truth," he said, "this poor widow has put in more than all the others.4All these people gave their gifts out of their wealth; but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on."
Sermon
The first reading from Revelation paints a vivid picture of the Lamb standing on Mount Zion, surrounded by 144,000 redeemed souls. These individuals are described as pure and unblemished, having been faithful to God without compromise. The passage emphasizes their devotion to the Lamb and their purity of heart, as they sing a new canticle before the throne of God. This vision is a glimpse into the ultimate triumph of God’s people, who have remained steadfast in their faith despite the challenges of the world.
In the Gospel, Luke presents a stark contrast between the wealthy who give from their abundance and the poor widow who offers her last two coins. Jesus points out that the widow’s offering, though small in material value, is far greater in the eyes of God because it represents her total surrender and trust in God’s providence. This teaching challenges us to reflect on the quality of our own giving—whether it is done with love, generosity, and faith, or merely out of obligation.
Both readings invite us to consider the depth of our commitment to God. The 144,000 in Revelation represent those who have given their all to follow the Lamb, while the widow in Luke exemplifies radical trust in God’s care. In our daily lives, we are called to live with this same kind of surrender and generosity. Whether through our time, talents, or resources, we are to offer everything to God, trusting that He will provide for us. Let us strive to live as people of faith, giving freely and loving deeply, just as the widow and the redeemed in today’s readings.