Catholic Mass Readings and Reflection November 21, 2024

21st November 2024 (Thursday)

Psalter: Week 1

Readings of the Day

First Reading: Revelation 5:1-10

I, John saw in the right hand of him who was seated on the throne a scroll written within and on the back, sealed with seven seals. And I saw a mighty angel proclaiming with a loud voice, “Who is worthy to open the scroll and break its seals?” And no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll or to look into it, and I began to weep loudly because no one was found worthy to open the scroll or to look into it. And one of the elders said to me, “Weep no more; behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has conquered, so that he can open the scroll and its seven seals.” And between the throne and the four living creatures and among the elders I saw a Lamb standing, as though it had been slain, with seven horns and with seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth. And he went and took the scroll from the right hand of him who was seated on the throne. And when he had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each holding a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. And they sang a new song, saying, “Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation, and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on the earth.”

Psalm 149:1b-2, 3-4, 5-6a and 9bc (R. Revelation 5:10)

R/. You have made us a kingdom and priests to our God.

Gospel Acclamation

V/. Alleluia

R/. Alleluia

V/. Today harden not your hearts, but listen to the voice of the Lord.

R/. Alleluia.

Gospel: Luke 19:41-44

At that time: When Jesus drew near and saw the city, he wept over it, saying, “Would that you, even you, had known on this day the things that make for peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes. For the days will come upon you, when your enemies will set up a barricade round you and surround you and hem you in on every side and tear you down to the ground, you and your children within you. And they will not leave one stone upon another in you, because you did not know the time of your visitation.”

Daily Gospel Reflection

Thursday – Thirty-Third Week of Ordinary Time

Guidelines: God’s voice and message is always loud and clear. He constantly invites us to open ourselves to realise, repent and return to him. But many would not mind it.

1. Today, in both readings, there is weeping. In the first reading, John sees a heavenly vision and weeps over people because there is no one found worthy to open the scroll and break its seals. In the gospel, Jesus weeps over Jerusalem city because they do not know the time of God’s visitation and the things that make for peace.

2. We need to note that this weeping is not merely emotional or sentimental but it is a sign of profound anguish and pain at the saddening situation. Now, the common reason for weeping is the people’s lack of openness and cooperation to see God’s presence and action in their lives. And the consequence is the lack of a worthy life to be in God’s eternal presence.

3. One alone is worthy to open the scroll and break its seals. It is Jesus, the Saviour. He is the lion of Judah, the Root of David. He has conquered evil and is worthy. But what is strange is how he conquered. It is not by force or violence as a fierce lion but as a meek lamb. He shed his own blood and ransomed all people for God. He has made them a kingdom and priests to our God. And they shall reign on earth.

4. The contrast in the fate of those who follow the Lamb and those who do not is very clear. Those who renew themselves to be ransomed by the blood of the lamb would be made a kingdom and priests to our God and they shall reign on earth.

5. But as for those who are totally unaware and unresponsive to God’s visitation, they will be destroyed. The destruction of Jerusalem city is symbolic of this destruction of the unfaithful. “Their enemies will tear them down to the ground, and all their human and earthly glory will be devastated.

6. The memorial of the Presentation of Mary of today is a timely reminder for us of this abundant spirit of giving. It is said that already at the age of three, the child Mary was offered to God in the temple. And from that moment till the end and now as well, the life of Mary is one unceasing act of giving in love and joy.

Practice: God is still weeping because of the mounting indifference and unawareness of people toward God’s visitation and interventions