Daily Readings - Fri Sep 29 2023
First Reading - Revelation 12.7-12a or Daniel 7.9-10, 13-14
Revelation
7And there was war in heaven. Michael and his angels fought against the dragon, and the dragon and his angels fought back.8But he was not strong enough, and they lost their place in heaven.9The great dragon was hurled down--that ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan, who leads the whole world astray. He was hurled to the earth, and his angels with him.10Then I heard a loud voice in heaven say: "Now have come the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God, and the authority of his Christ. For the accuser of our brothers, who accuses them before our God day and night, has been hurled down.11They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death.12Therefore rejoice, you heavens and you who dwell in them! But woe to the earth and the sea, because the devil has gone down to you! He is filled with fury, because he knows that his time is short."
Daniel
9"As I looked, "thrones were set in place, and the Ancient of Days took his seat. His clothing was as white as snow; the hair of his head was white like wool. His throne was flaming with fire, and its wheels were all ablaze.10A river of fire was flowing, coming out from before him. Thousands upon thousands attended him; ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him. The court was seated, and the books were opened.13"In my vision at night I looked, and there before me was one like a son of man, coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into his presence.14He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all peoples, nations and men of every language worshiped him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed.
John
47When Jesus saw Nathanael approaching, he said of him, "Here is a true Israelite, in whom there is nothing false."48"How do you know me?" Nathanael asked. Jesus answered, "I saw you while you were still under the fig tree before Philip called you."49Then Nathanael declared, "Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the King of Israel."50Jesus said, "You believe because I told you I saw you under the fig tree. You shall see greater things than that."51He then added, "I tell you the truth, you shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man."
Sermon
In today’s readings, we are reminded of the cosmic struggle between good and evil, as well as the transformative power of faith in Jesus Christ. The first reading from Revelation describes a great battle in heaven between Michael and his angels and the dragon, who is identified as Satan. This passage is rich in symbolism, drawing from Jewish apocalyptic literature to depict the ultimate defeat of evil and the triumph of God’s kingdom. The dragon, cast down to earth, represents the forces of sin and deception that seek to divide and destroy. Yet, the reading assures us that the victory belongs to God, and His people overcome evil through the blood of the Lamb and the testimony of their faith.
The Gospel reading from John shifts our focus to a more personal encounter with Jesus. Nathanael, initially skeptical, comes to recognize Jesus as the Son of God and the King of Israel after a simple yet profound revelation—Jesus saw him under the fig tree before they met. This moment of insight leads Nathanael to faith, and Jesus promises him that he will see even greater things, including the vision of heaven opened and angels ascending and descending on the Son of Man. This image evokes Jacob’s ladder from Genesis, symbolizing the connection between heaven and earth established through Jesus.
Together, these readings invite us to reflect on our own place in the spiritual battle and our relationship with Christ. Like Nathanael, we are called to trust in God’s revelation, even when it seems mysterious or unexpected. In a world often filled with confusion and division, we are reminded that our ultimate hope lies in the victory of God’s kingdom, already begun through the death and resurrection of Jesus. Let us, therefore, live with courage and faith, knowing that we are part of a larger story where good triumphs over evil, and heaven is ever-present in our lives.