Taste and see, a revelation of hope

                                       The Book of Revelation Chapter 1

I love when the Old Testament foreshadows the New Testament, and the New Testament fulfills the Old Testament. My heart skips a beat and I find myself on the dusty road to Emmaus in sandals and blinding sunlight, as our glorified Christ breaks open the word to his disciples. 

I am at the end of four years of studying the Bible, and the Book of Revelation is the final pass of the baton. May we all finish well; both the study of the Bible and our mortal lives as Christ watches us!

In John’s first vision, he falls at the feet of a figure, just as Moses and other faithful did  in the presence of our Lord (Isaiah 44:2, 6). Let’s just pick a few “Emmaus moments” out of chapter one of Revelation. In the midst of the lampstands (churches) the one was clothed with a long robe and with a golden sash across his chest. These two vestments indicate Christ’s priestly role of offering up sacrifices to God the Father. His hair is white like the snow or the Ancient of Days. This is a reference to Daniel 7:9 “And one that was Ancient of Days took his seat: his clothing was white as snow, and the hair of his head like pure wool.”

His voice was “like the sound of many waters” (Rev 1:15) or the rumbling of God’s glory when it draws near. This description was first described in Ezekiel 1:24 “Like the sound of many waters, like the thunder of the Almighty.”

And finally, we learn of the beatific vision- when we see our Lord at our final judgment; “His face was like the sun shining in full strength.” This is a description of the glorified and resurrected Christ; there is no darkness in Christ, only light.

But there is more to the Book of Revelations. It is a book about liturgy and worship, and most importantly, the liturgy of the Eucharist. It is the lamb’s supper, or Eucharist. Scott Hahn even titled his terrific book about Revelations exactly that- The Lamb’s Supper. The Book of Revelations has everything to do about heaven and worship, and heaven on earth with the miracle we can see every day- the consecration of the Eucharist.

In Him there is no darkness at all!

This is the message we have heard from him (Jesus Christ) and proclaim to you, that God is light and in him is no darkness at all.

The First Letter of John 1:5

Darkness and dark times in life do not come from God, there is no darkness at all in him; only love, justice and mercy. How many times have we lost sight of this or hope? Many lose their faith by blindness to this truth.

Do not love the world or the things in the world. For all that is in the world…lust of the eyes and the pride of life, is not of the Father but is of the world.

The First Letter of John 2:15

Again, what are our sights set upon? On things of this world, accumulating possessions, or pride in winning? Or are we rooted in worshipping God and doing his will?

Return again to His light. Work to remove any darkness through Christ’s sacraments in His Church.

God Bless you, alleluia!

20-20 Vision

When he had said this [Peace be with you], he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord.

John 20:20

Finally, the disciples understood the resurrection, when they saw the risen Lord. They had 20:20 vision after seeing with their own eyes his nail marks, and the lanced side of his glorified body. Jesus had been so patient with their limited understanding of his mission and kingdom even as he told them parables and showed them miracles that fulfilled the prophecies.

Now, he appeared to them, victorious over sin and death.

If we but ask, he will heal our blindness too and help us to see the Father’s will. How glorious!

May mercy, peace and love be multiplied to you.  (Jude v.2)

Alleluia! Happy Easter, the greatest day of celebration in the year!

Tomb of new life

Now in the place where he was crucified there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb where no one had ever been laid.
John 19:41

When we suffer, there are tombs where we must die to ourselves: our wants, our ways, and our love of ourselves that is placed before the love of God and others.

Christ's tomb is in a garden, where it all began with Adam and Eve. A garden is where they followed their own will and understanding instead of following God's will. Christ saved us through his perfect obedience to his Father, even unto death. It is beautiful that his tomb returns to the garden imagery of creation. This new tomb, where no one had been before, was the site of his resurrection; where death and sin is defeated!

He won for us eternal life, our real life of joy with the one true God, the Trinity!

Look towards Easter with hope and gratitude for we will be reunited with our loved ones in the glory of God for eternity! It just takes our imitation of Christ to be followers.

Suffering; make it work for good

"Give ear to my words, O Lord;
give heed to my groaning.
Listen to the sound of my cry,
my King and my God, for to you do I pray."
Psalm 5:1-2

Oh Lord, some one I care about is suffering. Sanctify her suffering, and her family's and friend's suffering. Make us aware of your presence during this difficult time, as we turn to you and offer this struggle to you; guide us.

Sanctify means "to make productive or conducive to spiritual blessing." To make holy.

(Random House Webster's Unabridged Dictionary)
Picture- Lourdes, France

A Holy Life: an oxymoron in today's times?

In this you may rejoice, though now for a little while you may have to suffer various trials, so that the genuineness of you faith , more precious than gold which though perishable is tested by fire, may redound to praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

1 Peter 1: 6-7

Therefore gird up your minds, be sober, set your hope fully upon the grace that is coming to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as he who called you is holy, be holy yourselves in all your conduct; since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.”

1 Peter 1:13-15

Sometimes we just need a break; from pain, from sorrows, or from worries. We must gird up our minds as the apostle tells us; we should be obedient, not give into our passions and perhaps look back to see where we veered from holiness. When did we follow the ways of this world and resist God’s way? Obedience is not a word our culture likes; but only through a continual and deepening obedience to God will our hope flourish. Perhaps substituting a synonym for obedience might make it easier to follow; try compliance, agreement, submission, respect, duty, deference, or conformity.

Let God pilot your distressed course.

Prickly Times in our Nation

Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal which comes upon you to prove you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice in so far as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed.

1 Peter 4:12

Ash Wednesday- It’s a day of fasting during prickly times in our nation. 

The First letter of Saint Peter encourages us when we must suffer for doing right. Is that not the scourge of the HHS mandate, to make us suffer at the loss of our First Amendment rights in our nation? And why? Because we defend the innocent? We feed the poor? We care for the sick and elderly? We believe in dignity of Life? Our nation is sliding on the slippery slope, and it has been for a few years.

Take heart my friend, God’s glory will be revealed to us when Christ comes again, as our just judge. Bear up and offer up your suffering, united with Christ. It’s not over until God has the last word, and he delegated this to his beloved son, Christ.