The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today use imagery and a parable to invite our contemplation of fullness of life.
In the reading from the Book of Revelation, olive trees and lampstands symbolize the Two Witnesses.
* [11:4] The two olive trees and the two lampstands: the martyrs who stand in the presence of the Lord; the imagery is taken from Zec 4:8–14, where the olive trees refer to Zerubbabel and Joshua.
* [11:5–6] These details are derived from stories of Moses, who turned water into blood (Ex 7:17–20), and of Elijah, who called down fire from heaven (1 Kgs 18:36–40; 2 Kgs 1:10) and closed up the sky for three years (1 Kgs 17:1; cf. 18:1).
* [11:7] The beast,from the abyss: the Roman emperor Nero, who symbolizes the forces of evil, or the antichrist (Rev 13:1, 8; 17:8); cf. Dn 7:2–8, 11–12, 19–22 and Introduction.
* [11:8] The great city: this expression is used constantly in Revelation for Babylon, i.e., Rome; cf. Rev 14:8; 16:19; 17:18; 18:2, 10, 21. “Sodom” and “Egypt”: symbols of immorality (cf. Is 1:10) and oppression of God’s people (cf. Ex 1:11–14). Where indeed their Lord was crucified: not the geographical but the symbolic Jerusalem that rejects God and his witnesses, i.e., Rome, called Babylon in Rev 16–18; see note on Rev 17:9 and Introduction.
* [11:9–12] Over the martyrdom (Rev 11:7) of the two witnesses, now called prophets, the ungodly rejoice for three and a half days, a symbolic period of time; see note on Rev 11:2. Afterwards they go in triumph to heaven, as did Elijah (2 Kgs 2:11). (Revelation, n.d.)
Psalm 144 is a Prayer for National Deliverance and Security.
* [Psalm 144] The Psalm may reflect a ceremony in which the king, as leader of the army, asked God’s help (Ps 144:1–8). In Ps 144:9 the poem shifts abruptly from pleading to thanksgiving, and (except for Ps 144:11) shifts again to prayer for the people. The first section (Ps 144:1–2) is a prayer of thanks for victory; the second (Ps 144:3–7a), a humble acknowledgment of human nothingness and a supplication that God show forth saving power; the third (Ps 144:9–11), a promise of future thanksgiving; the fourth (Ps 144:12–15), a wish for prosperity and peace. A prayer for deliverance from treacherous foes serves as a refrain after the second and third sections (Ps 144:7b–8, 11). Except for its final section, the Psalm is made up almost entirely of verses from other Psalms. (Psalm 144, n.d.)
In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus addresses the Question about the Resurrection.
* [20:27] Sadducees: see note on Mt 3:7.
* [20:28–33] The Sadducees’ question, based on the law of levirate marriage recorded in Dt 25:5–10, ridicules the idea of the resurrection. Jesus rejects their naive understanding of the resurrection (Lk 20:35–36) and then argues on behalf of the resurrection of the dead on the basis of the written law (Lk 20:37–38) that the Sadducees accept. See also notes on Mt 22:23–33.
* [20:36] Because they are the ones who will rise: literally, “being sons of the resurrection.” (Luke 20, n.d.)
Jay Carney comments that as we approach the end of the liturgical year, the lectionary is getting darker. This may also fit the mood of our world right now, trapped as we are between a growing environmental crisis, atrocious regional wars, record numbers of displaced migrants and refugees, unprecedented levels of loneliness and depression, and deep political polarization. John’s symbolic “Sodom” and “Egypt” often seem like they are winning, whether in the late first century or the early twenty-first.
The sobering hope of today’s readings is that although death seems to reign supreme in this world, this is not the final chapter in God’s cosmic story of redemption. Resurrection rushes in as God breathes new life into the two prophets of Revelation. Those who attain to the coming age, as Jesus teaches, “can no longer die,” living eternally as children of the God of life. The book of life seems to end in a maelstrom of injustice, violence, and death. But there is a postscript. (Carney, 2024)
Don Schwager quotes “Jesus cites Moses to affirm the resurrection,” by Cyril of Alexandria (376-444 AD)
"The Savior also demonstrated the great ignorance of the Sadducees by bringing forward their own leader Moses, who was clearly acquainted with the resurrection of the dead. He set God before us saying in the bush, 'I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob' (Exodus 3:6). Of whom is he God, if, according to their argument, these have ceased to live? He is the God of the living. They certainly will rise when his almighty right hand brings them and all that are on the earth there. For people not to believe that this will happen is worthy perhaps of the ignorance of the Sadducees, but it is altogether unworthy of those who love Christ. We believe in him who says, 'I am the resurrection and the life' (John 11:25). He will raise the dead suddenly, in the twinkling of an eye, and at the last trumpet. It shall sound, the dead in Christ shall rise incorruptible, and we shall be changed (1 Corinthians 15:52). For Christ our common Savior will transfer us into incorruption, glory and to an incorruptible life."(excerpt from COMMENTARY ON LUKE, HOMILY 136) (Schwager, n.d.)
The Word Among Us Meditation on Revelation 11:4-12 comments that the real application comes at the end of this passage, when these witnesses are raised up to heaven “in a cloud” (Revelation 11:12). Even though they are killed, they still triumph! Their story tells us that anyone who stays faithful to Jesus will ultimately share in his resurrection. It’s a story of hope against all odds, a story of the victory of faith.
God accomplished his will through the two witnesses. He protected them during their mission, and when death came for them, it didn’t overpower them. Similarly, God has called you to be his witness, and he will help you fulfill that call. You belong to him, and that means that you belong to heaven. May we all hold onto our hope and trust in his love!
“Jesus, help me to place my life in your hands, whatever happens!” (Meditation on Revelation 11:4-12, n.d.)
Friar Jude Winkler reflects on the texts today.
Dr. Barbara Holmes comments that the journey of life is absolutely a sacred journey, but we don’t know that when we’re younger. We don’t want to think about life in terms of a sacred journey, because we don’t know for certain where we came from, and we don’t know for certain where we’re going….
I’m on the other side of fifty now, and all of my priorities have shifted. The ambition and all of the things that I was striving for don’t make a lot of sense at this point. The fulfillment comes in doing what you are led to do. In the Christian tradition, the Holy Spirit is supposed to lead you into all truth. I see the Holy Spirit as a guiding light—we’re walking by the path and there’s a lamp unto our feet that helps us to know what to do, how to do it, and to be still.
This is where contemplation comes in. It is impossible to shift priorities if we are in a constant, busy, frenetic lifestyle. There has to be that pause, that breath, that waiting, that willingness to be still until we know. Be still and know—but the stillness doesn’t immediately lead to knowing. At first, we have to be still, and then we have to be patient until the knowing comes about. (Holmes, n.d.)
When we take a moment to reflect on our journey in life, we allow our gratitude to reassure us of the action of the Spirit that leads us to fullness of life.
References
Carney, J. (2024, November 23). Creighton U. Daily Reflection. Online Ministries. Retrieved November 23, 2024, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/112324.html
Holmes, B. (n.d.). What Are Our Priorities? CAC Daily Meditations. https://cac.org/daily-meditations/honoring-dr-barbara-holmes-weekly-summary/
Luke 20. (n.d.). USCCB. https://bible.usccb.org/bible/luke/20?27
Meditation on Revelation 11:4-12. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved November 23, 2024, from https://wau.org/meditations/2024/11/23/1135260/
Psalm 144. (n.d.). USCCB. https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/144?1
Revelation. (n.d.). USCCB. https://bible.usccb.org/bible/revelation/11?4
Schwager, D. (n.d.). Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved November 23, 2024, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2024&date=nov23
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