The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today reveal that the Spirit is our guide to endurance and faithfulness in times of difficulty.
The reading from the Book of Revelation is a vision of the Angels with the Seven Last Plagues.
* [15:1–4] A vision of the victorious martyrs precedes the vision of woe in Rev 15:5–16:21; cf. Rev 7:9–12.
* [15:2] Mingled with fire: fire symbolizes the sanctity involved in facing God, reflected in the trials that have prepared the victorious Christians or in God’s wrath.
* [15:3] The song of Moses: the song that Moses and the Israelites sang after their escape from the oppression of Egypt (Ex 15:1–18). The martyrs have escaped from the oppression of the Devil. Nations: many other Greek manuscripts and versions read “ages.” (Revelation, CHAPTER 15, n.d.)
Psalm 98 praises the Judge of the World.
* [Psalm 98] A hymn, similar to Ps 96, extolling God for Israel’s victory (Ps 98:1–3). All nations (Ps 98:4–6) and even inanimate nature (Ps 98:7–8) are summoned to welcome God’s coming to rule over the world (Ps 98:9).
* [98:1] Marvelous deeds…victory: the conquest of all threats to the peaceful existence of Israel, depicted in the Psalms variously as a cosmic force such as sea, or nations bent on Israel’s destruction, or evildoers seemingly triumphant. His right hand and holy arm: God is pictured as a powerful warrior. (Psalms, PSALM 98, n.d.)
The Gospel of Luke identifies the role of the Spirit in the Coming Persecution.
* [21:12] Before all this happens…: to Luke and his community, some of the signs of the end just described (Lk 21:10–11) still lie in the future. Now in dealing with the persecution of the disciples (Lk 21:12–19) and the destruction of Jerusalem (Lk 21:20–24) Luke is pointing to eschatological signs that have already been fulfilled.
* [21:15] A wisdom in speaking: literally, “a mouth and wisdom.” (Luke, CHAPTER 21, n.d.)
David Crawford comments that walking in without a fully formed plan of defense and trusting the Spirit to provide what is needed in a hostile situation – requires a great deal of faith and humility.
We can strengthen our knowledge base with daily study of the Word. We can practice loving and serving. We can spend time in prayer so that we are attuned to the cues provided by the Spirit. We can learn the standards, like the song in today’s reading from Revelation; and we can be ready to sing to the Lord a new song (Psalm 98) whenever we are called to do so. And we can go faithfully wherever the Spirit takes us. (Crawford, n.d.)
Don Schwager quotes “The faithful Christian is recognized by belief in the resurrection of the body,” by Augustine of Hippo, 354-430 A.D.
"We should have no doubt that our mortal flesh also will rise again at the end of the world... This is the Christian faith. This is the Catholic faith. This is the apostolic faith. Believe Christ when he says, 'Not a hair of your head shall perish' Putting aside all unbelief, consider how valuable you are. How can our Redeemer despise any person when he cannot despise a hair of that person's head? How are we going to doubt that he intends to give eternal life to our soul and body? He took on a soul and body in which to die for us, which he laid down for us when he died and which he took up again that we might not fear death." (excerpt from Sermon 214.11-12) (Schwager, n.d.)
The Word Among Us Meditation on Luke 21:12-19 comments that God delights in our human intellect and free will. Jesus promised us wisdom to guide us, not a word-for-word script. Through his Spirit, he can soften our hearts so that we don’t speak out of malice or bitterness. He can fill us with his presence so that we convey his love in our own words. He can give us patience so that we don’t speak rashly or out of frustration. He may even give us a stronger sense of what to say—a word or two, perhaps, that will help us guide the conversation in an upbuilding direction.
It’s not impossible to become a prophetic voice in the world. It doesn’t even have to be hard. It just takes a little practice, combined with trust in the Lord and a humble desire to speak his words of consolation and wisdom.
“Here I am, Lord! Help me learn the ‘wisdom in speaking’ that you promise to all who follow you.” (Meditation on Luke 21:12-19, n.d.)
Friar Jude Winkler comments on the singing of the song of Moses for the New Passover in the Book of Revelation. The texts underline the unique position of praise as a form of prayer action towards God in which we receive nothing. Friar Jude reminds us to trust in Providence that protects us from harm.
Brian McLaren writes of gratefulness as a primary theme of the gospels.
Jesus enrolls us in advanced classes in the school of gratitude. He shows us the disadvantages of advantages, and the advantages of disadvantages. He will make this paradox most dramatic through his own death; his suffering and crucifixion will eventually bring hope and freedom to all humanity, hope and freedom that could come no other way. Here is the deepest lesson of gratitude, then. We are to be grateful not just in the good times, but also in the bad times; to be grateful not just in plenty, but also in need; to maintain thankfulness not just in laughter, but also through tears and sorrow. One of Jesus’s followers says that we should even rejoice in trials, because through trials come patience, character, wisdom (James 1:2–3). And another says, “I have learned to be content with whatever I have” (Philippians 4:11), so he can instruct, “Give thanks in all circumstances” (1 Thessalonians 5:18). (School of Gratitude — Center for Action and Contemplation, 2022)
We reflect on our life experiences through which we have grown in humility, compassion, love, and gratitude.
References
Crawford, D. (n.d.). Creighton U. Daily Reflection. Online Ministries. Retrieved November 23, 2022, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/112322.html
Luke, CHAPTER 21. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved November 23, 2022, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/luke/21?12
Meditation on Luke 21:12-19. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved November 23, 2022, from https://wau.org/meditations/2022/11/23/541716/
Psalms, PSALM 98. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved November 23, 2022, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/98?1
Revelation, CHAPTER 15. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved November 23, 2022, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/revelation/15?1
School of Gratitude — Center for Action and Contemplation. (2022, November 23). Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved November 23, 2022, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/school-of-gratitude-2022-11-23/
Schwager, D. (n.d.). Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved November 23, 2022, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2022&date=nov23
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