Daily Readings - Sun Nov 02 2025
Revelation
1Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea.2I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband.3And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God.4He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away."5He who was seated on the throne said, "I am making everything new!" Then he said, "Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true."6He said to me: "It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To him who is thirsty I will give to drink without cost from the spring of the water of life.7He who overcomes will inherit all this, and I will be his God and he will be my son.
Luke
11Soon afterward, Jesus went to a town called Nain, and his disciples and a large crowd went along with him.12As he approached the town gate, a dead person was being carried out--the only son of his mother, and she was a widow. And a large crowd from the town was with her.13When the Lord saw her, his heart went out to her and he said, "Don't cry."14Then he went up and touched the coffin, and those carrying it stood still. He said, "Young man, I say to you, get up!"15The dead man sat up and began to talk, and Jesus gave him back to his mother.16They were all filled with awe and praised God. "A great prophet has appeared among us," they said. "God has come to help his people."17This news about Jesus spread throughout Judea and the surrounding country.
Sermon
The readings today offer us a profound reflection on hope, trust in God, and the ultimate triumph of life over death. In the first reading from the Book of Wisdom, we hear about the souls of the just who, though they may seem to die in the eyes of the foolish, are in fact at peace in the hand of God. Their suffering is not the end but a purification, like gold refined in a furnace, and they will shine in the time of God’s visitation. This passage reminds us that our earthly struggles are not the final word; there is an eternal life where the faithful will judge nations and reign with God.
The second reading from Revelation paints a vivid picture of the new heaven and the new earth, where God dwells with humanity, wiping away every tear and ending death and mourning. This vision is a promise of renewal and restoration, assuring us that all things will be made new. It invites us to trust in God’s plan and to long for the day when we will live in his presence without pain or sorrow. This hope is not just for the future; it is a reality that shapes how we live today.
In the Gospel, Luke tells the story of Jesus raising the widow’s only son. Moved by compassion, Jesus touches the coffin and restores the young man to life. This miracle is not just a display of power but a revelation of God’s heart—a heart that beats with love and mercy. The crowd’s response—glorifying God and recognizing his presence among them—reminds us that faith is awakened when we encounter God’s love and power. Like the widow, we are called to trust in Jesus, even in our darkest moments, knowing that he is the Lord of life and death.
These readings remind us that our faith is rooted in hope. Even in the midst of suffering and death, we are called to trust in God’s plan and to see beyond the present moment. Like the souls of the just, we are being purified in this life so that we might shine in eternity. Like the widow, we are invited to encounter Jesus, who brings life and hope to those who are hurting. Let us live with this hope, trusting that God will make all things new, and let us show compassion to those around us, just as Jesus did. In him, we have the promise of eternal life, and in him, we find the strength to face whatever comes our way.