Readings: Revelations 14:14-19; Psalm 96; Luke 21:5-11
Our first reading is from the last book of the Bible, the Book of Revelation, written by St. John towards the end of his life alone in a cave on the island of Patmos. The new Christians were coming to him because he was the last living Apostle of Jesus. They were concerned with the end of the world and what it was like in heaven. He writes "Remember what you received and heard; obey it, and repent", for we do not know when the Lord Jesus is coming back to take the worthy ones up to heaven. St. John tells us not to be lukewarm but be ready for the salvation Jesus has won for us.
In the Responsorial Psalm we are called to be victorious.
In the Gospel we have the story of Zacchaeus and how he was looking for salvation from Jesus who forgives him of his sins and brings salvation to his whole house. He does not consider Zacchaeus a sinner but one who was lost and now has found salvation in Jesus. Soon we will start the season of Advent. Let us be ready to accept the salvation of Jesus as we prepare for his birth and remember, his coming into this world brings us the greatest gift of all.