The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today use the vision of the victorious martyrs to reassure us that the Last Word against evil and persecution will come from God.
The reading from the Book of Revelation begins 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 | USCCB, 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). (Psalms Psalm 98|USCCB, n.d.)
The Gospel of Luke points to 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 | USCCB, n.d.)
Cindy Costanzo shares that her commitment to growing her faith began and continues with the guidance of Jesus. She shares her recommendations for growing our faith.
Join and belong to a community of faithful, engage in service activities to those in need, say yes when invited on a pilgrimage, participate in bible studies, read, listen to podcasts, attend a 3-4-5-7-30 day retreat. Learn about the Old Testament and its covenant and prophets and the new covenant brought forth in the New Testament. Pray continuously. When your feet hit the ground in the morning thank Jesus for blessing you with another day. Pray while in the car driving; on your daily walks or exercise; and/or before and after work meetings. Take 1-2-3 minutes or longer a day to thank God for all your blessings. (Costanzo, 2024)
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 Revelation 15:1-4 comments that the saints and martyrs described by John as “those who had won the victory” did just that when they sang the “song of the Lamb” (Revelation 15:2, 3). We can do the same thing when we remember God’s mighty works described in Scripture, along with the wonders he has worked in our own lives. This is one sure way we can grow in confidence that God will be victorious over any of our current struggles.
Today, make a list of some of the ways you have seen God at work in your life. How has he saved you, healed you, guided you, and provided for you? The more you recall God’s “righteous acts” (Revelation 15:4), the more you will want to join the saints and martyrs in heaven who are even now glorifying our mighty God!
“I praise you, Lord, for the great and wonderful works you have accomplished in my life!” (Meditation on Revelation 15:1-4, n.d.)
Friar Jude Winkler comments that the vision of Revelation shows the seven angels and the seven last plagues as good prepares to destroy Evil. Jesus speaks of persecution and the action of the Spirit to give us the words to say to those who betray us. Friar Jude reminds us of our vocation to love God more than even family and to serve Christ no matter what it costs.
Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, introduces Theologian Allen Dwight Callahan who considers Jesus’ parable about the Good Samaritan.
In the parable of the Good Samaritan Jesus reminds us that it is because we are so close to each other that our differences are so vexing. But the differences are never as great as we fancy them to be. The Samaritan and the man at his mercy were enemies because of all they had in common. They shared Abraham and Palestine, Moses and Sinai, and, most important, they shared the divine commandments to love God and to love one’s neighbor.
The anonymity, altruism, and alterity of the Samaritan are the signposts that point to just such a love. His actions have shown us for his time, for our time, and for all time the meaning of love. He looked upon a fallen fellow human being with the eyes of compassion. He treated his wounds with the costly unguents of mercy. He provided for him in the spirit of the law of a God who has commanded us to love the neighbor we encounter on the Jericho road of life. Let us go and do likewise. (Rohr, n.d.)
We are confronted with struggle on our journey and the Spirit reminds us that our relationship with Jesus is where we will find courage, love, and compassion to continue to serve.
References
Costanzo, C. (2024, November 27). Creighton U. Daily Reflection. Creighton U. Daily Reflection. Retrieved November 27, 2024, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/112724.html
Luke, CHAPTER 21 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved November 27, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/luke/21?12
Meditation on Revelation 15:1-4. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved November 27, 2024, from https://wau.org/meditations/2024/11/27/1137727/
Psalms Psalm 98|USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Bible Readings. USCCB. https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/98?1
Revelation Chapter 15 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Bible Readings. USCCB. https://bible.usccb.org/bible/revelation/15?1
Rohr, R. (n.d.). Daily Meditations — Center for Action and Contemplation. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved November 27, 2024, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/signposts-of-compassion/
Schwager, D. (n.d.). Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved November 27, 2024, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2024&date=nov27
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