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| Looking to the future |
The introduction to the Book of Revelation recognizes the progress made by the followers of Christ and identifies attitudes in the Church that need correction.
* [2:1] Ephesus: this great ancient city had a population of ca. 250,000; it was the capital of the Roman province of Asia and the commercial, cultural, and religious center of Asia. The other six churches were located in the same province, situated roughly in a circle; they were selected for geographical reasons rather than for the size of their Christian communities. Walks in the midst of the seven gold lampstands: this signifies that Christ is always present in the church; see note on Rev 1:4.Psalm 1 is a preface to the Book of Psalms that sets before us the choice of good or evil.
* [Psalm 1] A preface to the whole Book of Psalms, contrasting with striking similes the destiny of the good and the wicked. The Psalm views life as activity, as choosing either the good or the bad. Each “way” brings its inevitable consequences. The wise through their good actions will experience rootedness and life, and the wicked, rootlessness and death.In the Gospel from Luke, Jesus receives an interruption as He is addressed as the Messiah by an outcast who is saved.
* [18:38] Son of David: the blind beggar identifies Jesus with a title that is related to Jesus’ role as Messiah (see note on Lk 2:11). Through this Son of David, salvation comes to the blind man. Note the connection between salvation and house of David mentioned earlier in Zechariah’s canticle (Lk 1:69). See also note on Mt 9:27.Sr. Candice Tucci, OSF, prayer has been, Jesus, have pity on your people, have mercy, and please save your people.
It seems to be a dark period in our Church and society, which needs to be saved from our own blindness, brokenness, woundedness, sinfulness, or, however described, the “dark side” that keeps us from growing to completeness or spiritually whole. We, too, grapple with our personal experiences of sin and grace. Yet, in the darkness, we see a glimpse of light as we journey through it all. This might be what saves our lives. The Light of Christ is here for me and for everyone. It is there on the “lampstand” for guidance. Perhaps the grace is to open our eyes and be bold enough to trust and make a move toward healing. Bold enough to shout and give voice to mend, restore and rebuild. Too, be persistent when told to be silent. The Light of Christ gives me hope and guidance for healing a broken world and Church. In that hope, I can praise and give glory to God. “For the Lord watches over the way of the just, but the way of the wicked vanishes.” (Psalm 1.6)Don Schwager quotes “The blind man knows that Jesus is the Son of David and the Messiah”, by Cyril of Alexandria (376-444 AD).
"The blind man must have understood that the sight of the blind cannot be restored by human means but requires, on the contrary, a divine power and an authority such as God only possesses. With God nothing whatsoever is impossible. The blind man came near to him as to the omnipotent God. How then does he call him the Son of David? What can one answer to this? The following is perhaps the explanation. Since he was born and raised in Judaism, of course, the predictions contained in the law and the holy prophets concerning Christ had not escaped his knowledge. He heard them chant that passage in the book of the Psalms, 'The Lord has sworn in truth to David, and will not annul it, saying: "of the fruit of your loins I will set a king upon your throne"' (Psalm 132:11). "The blind man also knew that the blessed prophet Isaiah said, 'There will spring up a shoot from the root of Jesse, and from his root a flower will grow up' (Isaiah 11:1). Isaiah also said, 'Behold, a virgin will conceive and bring forth a son, and they will call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us' (Matthew 1:23; Isaiah 7:14). He already believed that the Word, being God, of his own will had submitted to be born in the flesh of the holy Virgin. He now comes near to him as to God and says, 'Have mercy on me, Son of David.' Christ testifies that this was his state of mind in offering his petition. He said to him, 'Your faith has saved you.'" (excerpt from COMMENTARY ON LUKE, HOMILY 126)The Word Among Us Meditation on Revelation 1:1-4; 2:1-5 Revelation is a prime example of “apocalyptic” literature. That means it uses dramatic imagery—cosmic signs and fanciful creatures—to interpret present-day events.
For the next two weeks, begin each prayer time by asking the Holy Spirit to open your eyes so that you can see Jesus in the passages you will read. Then read through them. Don’t be afraid to use your imagination. Go ahead and picture the scenes. Imagine yourself actually in them. Let those pictures draw you into worship. If you find yourself struggling amid unfamiliar signs and symbols, that’s okay. See if you can find a commentary in your Catholic study Bible that might clarify these images for you.Friar Jude Winkler locates the Book of Revelation in the time between 200 BCE and 200 CE that featured apocalyptic writing. The spiritual dimension of the Church has fallen away from Love and become judgemental. Friar Jude notes the chutzpah of the blind beggar who tells God exactly what he needs. His faith results in his saving beyond healing.
Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, introduces Mirabai Starr, author of “God of Love: A Guide to the Heart of Judaism, Christianity and Islam,” who writes of her most profound loss, the death of a loved one, bringing her to her knees before the threshold of grief. She comments that we might as well enter. The Beloved might be waiting in the next room.
I didn’t do it right away, nor was I able to sustain it when I did manage a breath of surrender. But gradually I learned to soften into the pain and yield to my suffering. In the process, compassion for all suffering beings began unexpectedly to swell in my heart. I became acutely aware of my connectedness to mothers everywhere who had lost children, who were, at this very moment, hearing the impossible news that their child had died. . . .The bravery of believers to challenge circumstances comes out of surrender to the power of Love to transform and renew our vision.
References
(n.d.). Revelation chapter 2 - United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Retrieved November 19, 2018, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/revelation/2
(n.d.). Psalms chapter 1 - United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Retrieved November 19, 2018, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/psalms/1:1
(n.d.). Luke chapter 18 - United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Retrieved November 19, 2018, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/luke/18
(n.d.). Creighton U Daily Reflections .... Retrieved November 19, 2018, from http://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/daily.html
(n.d.). Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved November 19, 2018, from https://dailyscripture.servantsoftheword.org/
(n.d.). 33rd Week in Ordinary Time - Mass Readings and Catholic Daily .... Retrieved November 19, 2018, from https://wau.org/meditations/
(2017, December 30). 2018 Daily Meditations - Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved November 19, 2018, from https://cac.org/2018-daily-meditations/
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