Daily Readings - Sat Nov 02 2024
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 themes of hope, resurrection, and self-sacrifice, woven together to guide us in our spiritual journey. The first reading from Job presents a man in the depths of suffering, yet unwavering in his faith. Job's declaration of hope in a Redeemer who will one day rise from the earth resonates deeply, reminding us that even in our darkest moments, God's promise of redemption endures.
The second reading from 1 Corinthians shifts our gaze to the triumph of Christ's resurrection. Paul highlights that just as death came through Adam, so too does new life come through Christ. This passage underscores the universal impact of Christ's victory over death, offering us all the promise of eternal life. It invites us to reflect on our place within this grand narrative of salvation.
In the Gospel, Jesus uses the metaphor of the grain of wheat to illustrate the paradox of Christian life: true life comes through self-sacrifice. He calls us to follow Him, embracing the path of service and love. This teaching challenges us to reevaluate our priorities, encouraging us to let go of selfish desires and instead find fulfillment in serving others.
As we reflect on these readings, we are reminded that our faith is rooted in the hope of resurrection. Like Job, we can trust in God's plan even when it's unclear. Like the grain of wheat, we are called to die to ourselves that we might bear fruit. Let us embrace this call to selfless love, trusting that our sacrifices will lead to eternal life. May we follow Christ's example, serving others and honoring God in all we do.