The texts today from the Roman Catholic Lectionary present
images and narrative which give us an opportunity to meditate on the nature of
God. Friar Jude Winkler describes the symbols which we see gathered around the
throne of God in the vision described in Revelation. God is, as we experience,
the locus of surpassing greatness. The psalmist exhorts that everything that
breathes gives praise to God. The author of the Book of Revelation paints a
picture of God enthroned in majesty with the symbols of both justice and mercy
in the image. Friar Jude reminds us of a Jewish proverb which claims that a
Creation without mercy would have been destroyed by God and Creation without
justice would have been destroyed by humans. We are serving God when we try to
balance mercy and justice in our dealings and we seek His guidance as our application
of these virtues is far from perfect. The patriarchs from the Hebrew Testament
and the apostles of the Christian Testament are present along with the
brightest and best creatures in nature. All fall down in adoration and praise
of God. The Gospel from Luke, written after the destruction of the Temple in
Jerusalem, about Jesus journey to His Passion and Resurrection in Jerusalem presents
the “parable of the talents” in the understanding of the learned Gentile
physician and Evangelist. The gifts we receive from God are intended for the
building of the Kingdom. Our mission is active and moving us toward Jesus when
we are open to being His servant in using our lives. Our knowledge of His
Mission and our role in it compels our response. The disaster of the fate of Jerusalem
is seen by Luke as the consequence of the failure of the people to accept Jesus
invitation to be good and faithful servants.
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