Daily Readings - Thu Aug 15 2024
Revelation
19Then God's temple in heaven was opened, and within his temple was seen the ark of his covenant. And there came flashes of lightning, rumblings, peals of thunder, an earthquake and a great hailstorm.
1A great and wondrous sign appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet and a crown of twelve stars on her head.2She was pregnant and cried out in pain as she was about to give birth.3Then another sign appeared in heaven: an enormous red dragon with seven heads and ten horns and seven crowns on his heads.4His tail swept a third of the stars out of the sky and flung them to the earth. The dragon stood in front of the woman who was about to give birth, so that he might devour her child the moment it was born.5She gave birth to a son, a male child, who will rule all the nations with an iron scepter. And her child was snatched up to God and to his throne.6The woman fled into the desert to a place prepared for her by God, where she might be taken care of for 1,260 days.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.
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.24Then the end will come, when he hands over the kingdom to God the Father after he has destroyed all dominion, authority and power.25For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet.26The last enemy to be destroyed is death.
Luke
39At that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea,40where she entered Zechariah's home and greeted Elizabeth.41When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.42In a loud voice she exclaimed: "Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear!43But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?44As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy.45Blessed is she who has believed that what the Lord has said to her will be accomplished!"46And Mary said: "My soul glorifies the Lord47and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,48for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed,49for the Mighty One has done great things for me--holy is his name.50His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation.51He has performed mighty deeds with his arm; he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts.52He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble.53He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty.54He has helped his servant Israel, remembering to be merciful55to Abraham and his descendants forever, even as he said to our fathers."56Mary stayed with Elizabeth for about three months and then returned home.
Sermon
In today's readings, we journey through a narrative of cosmic struggle, divine triumph, and the profound impact of faith. The first reading from Revelation presents a symbolic vision of a woman, often interpreted as Mary or the Church, giving birth to a male child, Jesus, while a dragon, symbolizing Satan, seeks to destroy Him. This apocalyptic imagery reminds us of the eternal conflict between good and evil, yet assures us of God's protective care for His people. The woman's safe haven signifies God's providence and the ultimate victory of His kingdom.
The second reading from 1 Corinthians shifts our focus to the theological underpinning of Christ's resurrection. Paul emphasizes that just as death came through Adam, so too does life come through Christ. This passage underscores the universality of redemption and the certainty of resurrection, culminating in Christ's reign until all enemies, including death, are vanquished. It invites us to reflect on the transformative power of Christ's victory in our lives.
The Gospel of Luke presents the visitation of Mary to Elizabeth, a moment of profound faith and joy. Mary's Magnificat is a hymn of praise, celebrating God's mercy and the reversal of fortunes for the humble and oppressed. This narrative highlights the significance of Mary's faith and the early signs of Jesus's mission, illustrating the impact of trusting in God's plan.
Together, these readings weave a tapestry of God's overarching plan, from the cosmic battle to the intimate moments of faith. They remind us to trust in God's providence, embrace hope in His victories, and live with the faith exemplified by Mary. In our daily lives, let us draw strength from these narratives, knowing that despite life's struggles, God's triumph is assured. The moral lesson is clear: cultivate faith, trust in God's plan, and find joy in His providence.