Daily Readings - Fri Nov 29 2024
Revelation
1And I saw an angel coming down out of heaven, having the key to the Abyss and holding in his hand a great chain.2He seized the dragon, that ancient serpent, who is the devil, or Satan, and bound him for a thousand years.3He threw him into the Abyss, and locked and sealed it over him, to keep him from deceiving the nations anymore until the thousand years were ended. After that, he must be set free for a short time.4I saw thrones on which were seated those who had been given authority to judge. And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded because of their testimony for Jesus and because of the word of God. They had not worshiped the beast or his image and had not received his mark on their foreheads or their hands. They came to life and reigned with Christ a thousand years.11Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. Earth and sky fled from his presence, and there was no place for them.12And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the book of life. The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books.13The sea gave up the dead that were in it, and death and Hades gave up the dead that were in them, and each person was judged according to what he had done.14Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. The lake of fire is the second death.15If anyone's name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.
Luke
29He told them this parable: "Look at the fig tree and all the trees.30When they sprout leaves, you can see for yourselves and know that summer is near.31Even so, when you see these things happening, you know that the kingdom of God is near.32"I tell you the truth, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened.33Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on the ultimate triumph of God’s plan and the call to live with hope and vigilance. In the first reading from Revelation, we are given a vision of the end times: Satan is bound for a thousand years, the martyrs reign with Christ, and ultimately, God creates a new heaven and a new earth. This passage is not meant to be a literal description of the future but a symbolic assurance that God’s justice and love will prevail. It reminds us that despite the struggles and evils of this world, God’s final victory is certain, and all creation will be transformed.
The Gospel reading from Luke complements this vision by emphasizing the importance of being attentive to the signs of God’s kingdom. Jesus uses the example of the fig tree to teach that just as we can recognize the approach of summer by the changes in nature, so too can we discern the nearness of God’s kingdom by the events unfolding around us. This is not a call to fear or anxiety but to trust in God’s Word and to live with hope. Jesus assures us that while heaven and earth will pass away, his words will endure forever.
In our daily lives, these readings encourage us to live with faith and perseverance. We are called to trust in God’s plan, even when the world around us seems uncertain or chaotic. Like the martyrs in Revelation, we are invited to remain faithful, even in the face of challenges, knowing that our ultimate destiny is to share in the eternal life of the new heaven and the new earth. Let us strive to live each day with hope, keeping our eyes fixed on the promise of God’s kingdom, and trusting that his Word will guide us through all things.