Daily Mass Readings – Friday, 12 November 2027

1 But all men are vain, in whom there is not the knowledge of God: and who by these good things that are seen, could not understand him that is, neither by attending to the works have acknowledged who was the workman:

2 But have imagined either the fire, or the wind, or the swift air, or the circle of the stars, or the great water, or the sun and moon, to be the gods that rule the world.

3 With whose beauty, if they, being delighted, took them to be gods: let them know how much the Lord of them is more beautiful than they: for the first author of beauty made all those things.

4 Or if they admired their power and their effects, let them understand by them, that he that made them, is mightier than they:

5 For by the greatness of the beauty, and of the creature, the creator of them may be seen, so as to be known thereby.

6 But yet as to these they are less to be blamed. For they perhaps err, seeking God, and desirous to find him.

7 For being conversant among his works, they search: and they are persuaded that the things are good which are seen.

8 But then again they are not to be pardoned.

9 For if they were able to know so much as to make a judgment of the world: how did they not more easily find out the Lord thereof?

R. (2a) The heavens proclaim the glory of God.

2 The heavens shew forth the glory of God, and the firmament declareth the work of his hands.

3 Day to day uttereth speech, and night to night sheweth knowledge.

R. The heavens proclaim the glory of God.

4 There are no speeches nor languages, where their voices are not heard.

5 Their sound hath gone forth into all the earth: and their words unto the ends of the world.

R. The heavens proclaim the glory of God.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

28 Stand erect and raise your heads because your redemption is at hand.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

26 And as it came to pass in the days of Noe, so shall it be also in the days of the Son of man.

27 They did eat and drink, they married wives, and were given in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark: and the flood came and destroyed them all.

28 Likewise as it came to pass, in the days of Lot: they did eat and drink, they bought and sold, they planted and built.

29 And in the day that Lot went out of Sodom, it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all.

30 Even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man shall be revealed.

31 In that hour, he that shall be on the housetop, and his goods in the house, let him not go down to take them away: and he that shall be in the field, in like manner, let him not return back.

32 Remember Lot’s wife.

33 Whosoever shall seek to save his life, shall lose it: and whosoever shall lose it, shall preserve it.

34 I say to you: in that night there shall be two men in one bed; the one shall be taken, and the other shall be left.

35 Two women shall be grinding together: the one shall be taken, and the other shall be left: two men shall be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other shall be left.

36 They answering, say to him: Where, Lord?

37 Who said to them: Wheresoever the body shall be, thither will the eagles also be gathered together.

Creation speaks quietly but clearly of its Maker. The heavens proclaim God’s glory, and the beauty, order, and power of created things can lead the searching heart beyond what is seen to the Lord who made them. Yet Jesus warns that it is possible to become so occupied with ordinary life—eating, drinking, buying, building, marrying—that we fail to recognize the decisive presence of God. The danger is not creation itself, but allowing its gifts to become our horizon and our security.

“Remember Lot’s wife.” Her backward glance becomes a lasting image of a heart unable to leave behind what cannot save. Christ does not call us to fear the future; the Alleluia tells us to stand erect and raise our heads, because redemption is near. He calls us to live awake, receiving the world with gratitude while remaining free enough to follow him. Today, the beauty around us can become an act of worship, and the responsibilities before us can be carried with a heart ready for the Lord. When Christ is our true treasure, losing our life in faith becomes the way we preserve it.

Lord God, creator of heaven and earth, open my eyes to recognize your glory in all that you have made. Keep me from clinging to created things as though they could give me lasting security. When daily concerns fill my thoughts, awaken me to your presence and teach me to live with a watchful, faithful heart. Jesus, help me remember that redemption is near and that my life is safest in your hands. Give me courage to release whatever turns me away from you, and grace to follow you with freedom, hope, and steady trust. Amen.