Daily Readings - Fri Sep 29 2017

First Reading - Revelation 12.7-12a

⁷And there was a great battle in heaven. Michael and his Angels were battling with the dragon, and the dragon was fighting, and so were his angels⁸But they did not prevail, and a place for them was no longer found in heaven⁹And he was thrown out, that great dragon, that ancient serpent, who is called the devil and Satan, who seduces the whole world. And he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were cast down with him¹⁰And I heard a great voice in heaven, saying: "Now have arrived salvation and virtue and the kingdom of our God and the power of his Christ. For the accuser of our brothers has been cast down, he who accused them before our God day and night¹¹And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of his testimony. And they loved not their own lives, even unto death¹²Because of this, rejoice, O heavens, and all who dwell within it. Woe to the earth and to the sea! For the devil has descended to you, holding great anger, knowing that he has little time.

Gospel - John 1.47-51

John

Chapter 1

⁴⁷Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward him, and he said about him, "Behold, an Israelite in whom truly there is no deceit.⁴⁸Nathanael said to him, "From where do you know me?" Jesus responded and said to him, "Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you.⁴⁹Nathanael answered him and said: "Rabbi, you are the Son of God. You are the King of Israel.⁵⁰Jesus responded and said to him: "Because I told you that I saw you under the fig tree, you believe. Greater things than these, you will see.⁵¹And he said to him, "Amen, amen, I say to you, you will see heaven opened, and the Angels of God ascending and descending over the Son of man.

Sermon

The first reading from Revelation paints a dramatic scene of a cosmic battle between good and evil. Michael and the angels of heaven defeat the dragon, Satan, who is cast out of heaven and thrown down to earth. This passage is not just about a battle; it’s about the ultimate triumph of God’s kingdom over evil. The dragon, representing Satan, is the deceiver of the world, but his power is limited and his time is short. The reading reminds us that our strength comes not from ourselves, but from the blood of the Lamb and the testimony of faith. Even in the face of evil, we are called to trust in God’s victory and to rejoice in His kingdom. In the Gospel, Jesus meets Nathanael, who is initially skeptical but quickly comes to faith when Jesus reveals his knowledge of Nathanael’s life. Jesus sees Nathanael under the fig tree, a moment that speaks of intimacy and divine knowledge. Nathanael’s response, “You are the Son of God, the King of Israel,” shows the depth of his faith. Jesus then promises Nathanael that he will see even greater things—Angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man. This passage invites us to reflect on our own encounters with Jesus. Do we, like Nathanael, allow ourselves to be seen and known by God? Do we trust in His divine plan, even when we cannot fully understand it? Both readings invite us to live with faith and hope in the midst of life’s challenges. The battle between good and evil is real, but we know that God has already won the war through the sacrifice of His Son. Like Nathanael, we are called to trust in Jesus, even when the road ahead seems uncertain. Let us remember that our strength lies not in our own efforts, but in the power of God’s love and mercy. As we navigate the ups and downs of daily life, may we always turn to Him, knowing that He sees us, knows us, and guides us toward His kingdom.