The WORD
today (see http://usccb.org/bible/readings/112516.cfm)
reminds me of the importance of knowing God's WORD.
For a few days now, the
readings have all been about judgment, about Christ’s second coming. We may
initially feel scared or afraid while reading them. That is how some people see
the book of Revelation - something scary. However, as Christ's followers, this
is not something we should be afraid of. Rather, it should get us inspired and
motivated to live life according to God’s ways. And in today’s readings, we are
also reminded of something we should take joy in - that God’s words will not
pass away.
His words will
be fulfilled.
God did not only tell us about
judgment time, he also has promises for us as we live here on earth. He has
promises of provision, of great plans, of love, of protection. And we are
reminded to trust in his words, all of it. However, we will not know his words
if we do not read up on it.
You will not know God's promises if you will not make the effort
to know Him.
One of my favorite praise rap
artist, Lecrae, writes this in his song: “when he gets home, I pray he'll open up the sixty-six book love letter you
wrote and soak it up “ Makes sense. Sometimes we
feel so down and low, but we are not doing anything about it. We won’t improve
if we will just wait for things to get better. Reading God’s word, his
promises, and soaking up ourselves on them will help us be
better. His love letter, the bible, will remind us of his promises
and his love for us.
God’s
words will not pass away. May we soak ourselves on his word and live life by it.
Father God,
Thank you for
today. Thank you for another day to live. Thank you for another weekend coming
up. Thank you for your love. Thank you for your word, for your love letter to
me. Sorry for the times I am too lazy to read up on it. Sorry for not giving it
the importance it deserves. Sorry for not being hungry enough for you. I pray
that I may have the desire to just soak it up and bask in your word. May I
always remember how much you love me and the promises you have for me. I will
do my best to get to know you more by reading your word. As I do this, I humbly
ask that you fill me, inspire me, and assure me. Amen.
Blessed
day!
In
Christ,
-g-
Ps
See
related reflection:
November 25, 2016
Friday of the Thirty-fourth Week in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 507
Reading 1 Rv 20:1-4, 11—21:2
I, John, saw an angel come down from heaven,
holding in his hand the key to the abyss and a heavy chain.
He seized the dragon, the ancient serpent,
which is the Devil or Satan,
and tied it up for a thousand years and threw it into the abyss,
which he locked over it and sealed,
so that it could no longer lead the nations astray
until the thousand years are completed.
After this, it is to be released for a short time.
Then I saw thrones; those who sat on them were entrusted with judgment.
I also saw the souls of those who had been beheaded
for their witness to Jesus and for the word of God,
and who had not worshiped the beast or its image
nor had accepted its mark on their foreheads or hands.
They came to life and they reigned with Christ for a thousand years.
Next I saw a large white throne and the one who was sitting on it.
The earth and the sky fled from his presence
and there was no place for them.
I saw the dead, the great and the lowly, standing before the throne,
and scrolls were opened.
Then another scroll was opened, the book of life.
The dead were judged according to their deeds,
by what was written in the scrolls.
The sea gave up its dead;
then Death and Hades gave up their dead.
All the dead were judged according to their deeds.
Then Death and Hades were thrown into the pool of fire.
(This pool of fire is the second death.)
Anyone whose name was not found written in the book of life
was thrown into the pool of fire.
Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth.
The former heaven and the former earth had passed away,
and the sea was no more.
I also saw the holy city, a new Jerusalem,
coming down out of heaven from God,
prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.
holding in his hand the key to the abyss and a heavy chain.
He seized the dragon, the ancient serpent,
which is the Devil or Satan,
and tied it up for a thousand years and threw it into the abyss,
which he locked over it and sealed,
so that it could no longer lead the nations astray
until the thousand years are completed.
After this, it is to be released for a short time.
Then I saw thrones; those who sat on them were entrusted with judgment.
I also saw the souls of those who had been beheaded
for their witness to Jesus and for the word of God,
and who had not worshiped the beast or its image
nor had accepted its mark on their foreheads or hands.
They came to life and they reigned with Christ for a thousand years.
Next I saw a large white throne and the one who was sitting on it.
The earth and the sky fled from his presence
and there was no place for them.
I saw the dead, the great and the lowly, standing before the throne,
and scrolls were opened.
Then another scroll was opened, the book of life.
The dead were judged according to their deeds,
by what was written in the scrolls.
The sea gave up its dead;
then Death and Hades gave up their dead.
All the dead were judged according to their deeds.
Then Death and Hades were thrown into the pool of fire.
(This pool of fire is the second death.)
Anyone whose name was not found written in the book of life
was thrown into the pool of fire.
Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth.
The former heaven and the former earth had passed away,
and the sea was no more.
I also saw the holy city, a new Jerusalem,
coming down out of heaven from God,
prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.
Responsorial Psalm Ps 84:3, 4, 5-6a and 8a
R. (Rev. 21:3b) Here God lives among his people.
My soul yearns and pines
for the courts of the LORD.
My heart and my flesh
cry out for the living God.
R. Here God lives among his people.
Even the sparrow finds a home,
and the swallow a nest
in which she puts her young–
Your altars, O LORD of hosts,
my king and my God!
R. Here God lives among his people.
Blessed they who dwell in your house!
continually they praise you.
Blessed the men whose strength you are!
They go from strength to strength.
R. Here God lives among his people.
My soul yearns and pines
for the courts of the LORD.
My heart and my flesh
cry out for the living God.
R. Here God lives among his people.
Even the sparrow finds a home,
and the swallow a nest
in which she puts her young–
Your altars, O LORD of hosts,
my king and my God!
R. Here God lives among his people.
Blessed they who dwell in your house!
continually they praise you.
Blessed the men whose strength you are!
They go from strength to strength.
R. Here God lives among his people.
Alleluia Lk 21:28
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Stand erect and raise your heads
because your redemption is at hand.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Jesus told his disciples a parable.
“Consider the fig tree and all the other trees.
When their buds burst open,
you see for yourselves and know that summer is now near;
in the same way, when you see these things happening,
know that the Kingdom of God is near.
Amen, I say to you, this generation will not pass away
until all these things have taken place.
Heaven and earth will pass away,
Stand erect and raise your heads
because your redemption is at hand.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel Lk 21:29-33
“Consider the fig tree and all the other trees.
When their buds burst open,
you see for yourselves and know that summer is now near;
in the same way, when you see these things happening,
know that the Kingdom of God is near.
Amen, I say to you, this generation will not pass away
until all these things have taken place.
Heaven and earth will pass away,
but my words will not pass away.”
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