Daily Catholic Mass Readings for November 25, 2024
First Reading: Revelation 14.1-3, 4b-5
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.
Psalm 24
1The earth is the LORD's, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it;2for he founded it upon the seas and established it upon the waters.3Who may ascend the hill of the LORD? Who may stand in his holy place?4He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to an idol or swear by what is false.5He will receive blessing from the LORD and vindication from God his Savior.6Such is the generation of those who seek him, who seek your face, O God of Jacob. Selah7Lift up your heads, O you gates; be lifted up, you ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in.8Who is this King of glory? The LORD strong and mighty, the LORD mighty in battle.9Lift up your heads, O you gates; lift them up, you ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in.10Who is he, this King of glory? The LORD Almighty- he is the King of glory. Selah
Gospel: Luke 21.1-4
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
In today’s readings, we encounter powerful images of faithfulness and generosity. The first reading from Revelation presents a vision of the Lamb, Jesus, standing on Mount Zion with 144,000 followers who are redeemed and pure. They sing a new song before God, a song that only they can sing. This passage, written in a time of persecution, encourages believers to remain faithful, knowing that their ultimate reward is near. The second reading from Luke tells the story of a poor widow who, despite her poverty, gives her last two coins to the temple. Jesus praises her, not for the amount she gave, but for the sacrifice she made. While the wealthy gave from their surplus, she gave from her need, demonstrating extraordinary generosity.
These readings are connected by the theme of self-giving love. In Revelation, the 144,000 are completely dedicated to the Lamb, following him wherever he goes. They are unblemished and truthful, living lives of integrity. In Luke, the widow’s act of giving everything she had reflects a similar total commitment to God. Both passages challenge us to examine our own relationship with God and with others. Are we holding back, or are we giving fully, even when it is difficult?
Let us reflect on how we can live with the same faithfulness and generosity. In our daily lives, we are called to follow Christ without reservation, even when it requires sacrifice. Like the widow, we are invited to give from our own poverty, whether that is financial, emotional, or spiritual. True generosity is not measured by what we have, but by the love with which we give. May we strive to live with the integrity and selflessness modeled in today’s readings, trusting that our sacrifices will bear fruit in God’s kingdom.