18 Nov 2010, Thursday of the Thirty-third Week in Ordinary Time

Reading 1
Rv 5:1-10

I, John, saw a scroll in the right hand of the one who sat on the throne.
It had writing on both sides and was sealed with seven seals.
Then I saw a mighty angel who proclaimed in a loud voice,
“Who is worthy to open the scroll and break its seals?”
But no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth
was able to open the scroll or to examine it.
I shed many tears because no one was found worthy
to open the scroll or to examine it.
One of the elders said to me, “Do not weep.
The lion of the tribe of Judah, the root of David, has triumphed,
enabling him to open the scroll with its seven seals.”

Then I saw standing in the midst of the throne
and the four living creatures and the elders
a Lamb that seemed to have been slain.
He had seven horns and seven eyes;
these are the seven spirits of God sent out into the whole world.
He came and received the scroll from the right hand
of the one who sat on the throne.
When he took it,
the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders
fell down before the Lamb.
Each of the elders held a harp and gold bowls filled with incense,
which are the prayers of the holy ones.
They sang a new hymn:

“Worthy are you to receive the scroll
and break open its seals,
for you were slain and with your Blood you purchased for God
those from every tribe and tongue, people and nation.
You made them a kingdom and priests for our God,
and they will reign on earth.”

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

The Lamb has made us a kingdom of priests to serve our God.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Sing to the LORD a new song
of praise in the assembly of the faithful.
Let Israel be glad in their maker,
let the children of Zion rejoice in their king.
R. The Lamb has made us a kingdom of priests to serve our God.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Let them praise his name in the festive dance,
let them sing praise to him with timbrel and harp.
For the LORD loves his people,
and he adorns the lowly with victory.
R. The Lamb has made us a kingdom of priests to serve our God.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Let the faithful exult in glory;
let them sing for joy upon their couches;
Let the high praises of God be in their throats.
This is the glory of all his faithful. Alleluia.
R. The Lamb has made us a kingdom of priests to serve our God.
or:
R. Alleluia.

Gospel
Lk 19:41-44

As Jesus drew near Jerusalem,
he saw the city and wept over it, saying,
“If this day you only knew what makes for peace–
but now it is hidden from your eyes.
For the days are coming upon you
when your enemies will raise a palisade against you;
they will encircle you and hem you in on all sides.
They will smash you to the ground and your children within you,
and they will not leave one stone upon another within you
because you did not recognize the time of your visitation.”

Meditation: Revelation 5:1-10

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“I shed many tears.” (Revelation 5:4)

Why did John weep? Because no one—not even in heaven—was found worthy to “open the scroll or examine it” (Revelation 5:3). Some commentators hold that the scroll, with its seven seals, symbolizes God’s reading of human history, with its light and shadows, its good and evil. Only Jesus, the Lamb of God, is capable of dealing with the consequences of sin and purging humanity of its final remants so that we can at last be brought to our heavenly home.

This scene shows us that no matter how far off track humanity has gone, Jesus is still the Lord of history. He alone has the power and grace necessary to right the wrongs that human sin have inflicted on his creation—and he has done it in such a way that humanity itself can still be saved!

This is why the entire court of heaven sings a “new hymn” to Jesus (Revelation 5:9). Through Christ, creation has been restored. Now anyone who embraces the gospel can become a minister of God’s kingdom on earth (5:10). Now, because of Jesus’ cross, we can all live with him in eternity!

Don’t you sometimes feel like John—troubled and saddened because you can’t see how God’s great plan for your life could possibly be fulfilled? Perhaps your vision gets clouded by all that life throws at you or by your own sin, which opposes what God wants to accomplish. Perhaps it’s just because you can’t see what’s around the next bend, so you don’t know how to prepare. It’s at times like these that you need to remember the elder’s encouraging words: Jesus is in charge! He has read the scroll, and he knows what he’s doing. His hand is on you, and he is asking you to trust and believe.

Today’s passage is a call to worship the Lord during these times of questions—just as these heavenly creatures are doing. Sing songs of praise to him! Sit before him in silent adoration! Immerse yourself in his promises in Scripture! Let him give you a clearer insight into his will and help you surrender to him more fully. Let him show you that he knows what he is doing. Let him prove that his mercies are new every single day! (Lamentations 3:22-23).

“Lord, I give you praise and glory! Thank you for having written my name on the palm of your hand.”

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