Daily Readings - Tue Nov 26 2024
Revelation
14I looked, and there before me was a white cloud, and seated on the cloud was one "like a son of man" with a crown of gold on his head and a sharp sickle in his hand.15Then another angel came out of the temple and called in a loud voice to him who was sitting on the cloud, "Take your sickle and reap, because the time to reap has come, for the harvest of the earth is ripe."16So he who was seated on the cloud swung his sickle over the earth, and the earth was harvested.17Another angel came out of the temple in heaven, and he too had a sharp sickle.18Still another angel, who had charge of the fire, came from the altar and called in a loud voice to him who had the sharp sickle, "Take your sharp sickle and gather the clusters of grapes from the earth's vine, because its grapes are ripe."19The angel swung his sickle on the earth, gathered its grapes and threw them into the great winepress of God's wrath.
Luke
5Some of his disciples were remarking about how the temple was adorned with beautiful stones and with gifts dedicated to God. But Jesus said,6"As for what you see here, the time will come when not one stone will be left on another; every one of them will be thrown down."7"Teacher," they asked, "when will these things happen? And what will be the sign that they are about to take place?"8He replied: "Watch out that you are not deceived. For many will come in my name, claiming, 'I am he,' and, 'The time is near.' Do not follow them.9When you hear of wars and revolutions, do not be frightened. These things must happen first, but the end will not come right away."10Then he said to them: "Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom.11There will be great earthquakes, famines and pestilences in various places, and fearful events and great signs from heaven.
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter vivid imagery from Revelation and Luke, both touching on themes of transformation and the end times. Revelation 14:14-19 describes a figure on a cloud with a sickle, reaping the earth, symbolizing God's judgment and the harvest of souls. Another angel harvests grapes, casting them into God's wrath, a metaphor for the consequences of unrepented sin. This apocalyptic vision, written to comfort persecuted Christians, uses symbols to depict the ultimate triumph of God over evil.
In Luke 21:5-11, Jesus discusses the temple's destruction, warning his disciples against false messiahs and the chaos of wars and natural disasters. These events, while unsettling, are not the end but part of the journey. Historically, this passage reflects the temple's destruction in 70 AD, yet it also points to future eschatological events, urging believers to remain steadfast.
Both readings remind us to trust in God's plan amidst turmoil. They encourage perseverance and faith, emphasizing that current struggles are part of a larger divine narrative. The moral lesson is clear: stay faithful, avoid false promises, and find strength in God's enduring presence. Let us embrace this trust, living each day with hope and devotion, knowing God's ultimate triumph will bring us peace.