Nov 18 2020 Reflection

Wednesday 18 November 2020

First Reading: RV 4:1-11
Responsorial Psalm:
Holy, holy, holy Lord, mighty God!
PS 150:1b-2, 3-4, 5-6
Gospel Reading: LK 19:11-28

Today’s Note: Wednesday of the Thirty-Third Week in Ordinary Time

Gospel Reading:

While people were listening to Jesus speak,
he proceeded to tell a parable because he was near Jerusalem
and they thought that the Kingdom of God
would appear there immediately.
So he said,
“A nobleman went off to a distant country
to obtain the kingship for himself and then to return.
He called ten of his servants and gave them ten gold coins
and told them, ‘Engage in trade with these until I return.’
His fellow citizens, however, despised him
and sent a delegation after him to announce,
‘We do not want this man to be our king.’
But when he returned after obtaining the kingship,
he had the servants called, to whom he had given the money,
to learn what they had gained by trading.
The first came forward and said,
‘Sir, your gold coin has earned ten additional ones.’
He replied, ‘Well done, good servant!
You have been faithful in this very small matter;
take charge of ten cities.’
Then the second came and reported,
‘Your gold coin, sir, has earned five more.’
And to this servant too he said,
‘You, take charge of five cities.’
Then the other servant came and said,
‘Sir, here is your gold coin;
I kept it stored away in a handkerchief,
for I was afraid of you, because you are a demanding man;
you take up what you did not lay down
and you harvest what you did not plant.’
He said to him,
‘With your own words I shall condemn you,
you wicked servant.
You knew I was a demanding man,
taking up what I did not lay down
and harvesting what I did not plant;
why did you not put my money in a bank?
Then on my return I would have collected it with interest.’
And to those standing by he said,
‘Take the gold coin from him
and give it to the servant who has ten.’
But they said to him,
‘Sir, he has ten gold coins.’
He replied, ‘I tell you,
to everyone who has, more will be given,
but from the one who has not,
even what he has will be taken away.
Now as for those enemies of mine who did not want me as their king,
bring them here and slay them before me.’”

After he had said this,
he proceeded on his journey up to Jerusalem.

Reflection:

I, John, had a vision. (Revelation 4:1)

Human language can scarcely describe the reality of heaven. The images John uses here—a sparkling throne, an emerald-like halo encircling it, flashes of lightning and peals of thunder—give us some idea of heaven’s glory and majesty (Revelation 4:2-5). The Old Testament prophet Ezekiel had a similar vision of heaven (see chapters 1 and 10). But in the end, no one can really describe the Lord God almighty and his dwelling place. It is something that we one day hope to experience, but until then, we can only live in faith, trusting that we will be filled with joy when we finally see God our Father face-to-face.

That’s what’s so amazing about the Eucharist. At every Mass, ordinary bread and wine become the Body and Blood of Christ, right before our eyes. When the priest raises the Host and Chalice at the consecration, the bread and wine don’t look outwardly different. But Jesus is present in them, Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity. God is really with us in all his majesty and glory—and in his mercy, he has provided us a way to see him, touch him, and even consume him.

In John’s vision in today’s first reading, whenever the four living creatures give glory, honor, and thanks to God, the twenty-four elders also fall down before their own thrones to worship him (Revelation 4:9-10). Praise and worship is the only appropriate response to God. It will surely be our response as well when we meet him in heaven.

Isn’t it awesome that we don’t have to wait until we get to heaven? Every day in prayer, as well as at every Mass we attend, we have the opportunity to give God thanks and praise. We may be sinners, but God is so generous, so gracious and merciful, that he holds nothing back from us. In his great love, he reveals himself to us and allows us to receive him into our own bodies and souls.

So how will you respond? By joining the heavenly choir that is singing even at this moment: “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God almighty!” (Revelation 4:8).

“Worthy are you, Lord our God, to receive glory and honor and power” (Revelation 4:11).