22 November, 2012
Thursday of Week 33; St. Cecilia
FIRST READING
Revelation 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.”
RESPONSORIAL PSALM
Psalm 149:1b-2, 3-4, 5-6a and 9b
R. 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.
ALLELUIA
Psalm 95:8
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
GOSPEL
Luke 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.”
REFLECTIONS:
What is the enemy of peace in our homes, cities,
and nations and what keeps us from a good relationship with God and with
our neighbor? When Jesus approached the city of Jerusalem he wept over
it because it inhabitants did not "know the things that make for peace"
(Luke 19:42). Jesus fulfills the beatitude for those who weep and for those
who make peace "blessed are those who mourn ...blessed are the peacemakers"
(Matthew 5:4,9). That is why Jesus went to Jerusalem to be crucified not
only for the sins of its inhabitants but to reconcile the whole world
all who have sinned with God. Mourning and weeping over sin and unfaithfulness
leads to true peace and reconciliation not only with God but with our neighbor
as well. Do you know the peace which makes for lasting friendship, joy,
and unity?
Jesus' earthly ministry centers and culminates in Jerusalem, which scripture
describes as the holy city, the throne of the Lord (Jeremiah 3:17);and
the place which God chose for his name to dwell there (1Kings 11:13; 2
Kings 21:4; 2 Kings 23:27); and the holy mountain upon which God has set
his king (Psalm 2:6). Jerusalem derives its name from the word
"salem"
which mean "peace". The temple in Jerusalem was a constant reminder
to the people of God's presence with them.
Why does Jesus weep and lament for this city? It's inhabitants had rejected
the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord because of their pride and
unbelief. Now they refuse to listen to Jesus who comes as their Messiah
whom God has anointed to be their Savior and Prince of Peace (Isaiah
9:6). Jesus' entrance into Jerusalem was a gracious visitation of God's
anointed King to his holy city. Jerusalem's lack of faith and rejection
of the Messiah, however, leads to its devastation and destruction. Jesus'
lamentation and prophecy echoes the lamentation of Jeremiah who prophesied
the first destruction of Jerusalem and its temple. Jeremiah's lamentation
offered hope of deliverance and restoration: "But this I call to mind,
and therefore I have hope: The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases,
his mercies are new every morning ...For the Lord will not cast off for
ever, but, though he cause grief, he will have compassion according to
the abundance of his steadfast love for he does not willingly afflict or
grieve the sons of men" (Lamentations 3:21-22, 31-32). Jesus is the hope
of the world because he is the only one who can truly reconcile us with
God and with one another. Through his death and resurrection Jesus breaks
down the walls of hostility and division by reconciling us with God. He
gives us his Holy Spirit both to purify us and restore us as a holy people
of God. Through Christ we become living temples of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians
6:19). God has visited his people in the past and he continues to
visit us through the gift and working of his Holy Spirit. Do you recognize
God's gracious visitation today?
When God visits his people he comes to establish peace and justice by
rooting out our enemies sin and Satan who enslave us to fear and pride,
rebellion and hatred, envy and covetousness, strife and violence, and every
form of evil. That is why God both judges and purifies his people to
lead us from our sinful ways to his way of justice, peace, love, and holiness.
God actively works among his people to teach us his ways and to save us
from the destruction of sin and Satan. Are God's judgments unjust or unloving?
Scripture tells us that "when God's judgments are revealed in the earth,
the inhabitants of the world learn righteousness" (Isaiah 26:9). To pronounce
judgment on sin is much less harsh than what will happen if those who sin
are not warned to repent. The Lord in his mercy gives us grace and time
to turn away from sin, but that time is right now. If we delay, even for
a moment, we may discover that grace has passed us by and our time is up.
Do you accept the grace to turn away from sin and to walk in God's way
of peace and holiness?
"Lord Jesus, you have visited and redeemed your people. May I not miss
the grace of your visitation today as you move to bring your people into
greater righteousness and holiness of life. Purify my heart and mind that
I may I understand your ways and conform my life more fully to your will."
No comments:
Post a Comment