Reflection on Today's Readings, Thursday, 33rd Week in Ordinary Time Year II, November 19th, 2020
Texts: Rev. 5:1-10; Ps. 149:1-6.9; Luke 19:41-44
Today's first reading reminds us that Jesus Christ deserves our worship and adoration for what he has achieved for us; he opened the seven seals of the scroll by sacrificing himself. Hence, it is said, "And when he had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the lamb, each holding a harp, and with golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints; and they sang a new song, saying, 'Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain and by your blood you Ransomed men for God".
The scroll in the reading contains God's plan of salvation. John's weeping shows how important is the content of the scroll to our salvation. It was a unique scroll because it had writings on both sides; normally a scroll is written on one side. The scroll has seven seals that need to be broken. God held the scroll in the right hand. The reading tells us that no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth was able to open it or look into it. This reveals how helpless we are in saving ourselves without Jesus Christ.
Jesus Christ was the only one capable of breaking the seals. This reminds us of St. Paul's words: "He has let us know the mystery of his purpose, according to his good pleasure which he determined beforehand in Christ, for him to act upon when the times had run their course: that he would bring everything together under Christ, as head, everything in heaven and everything on earth. And it is in him that we have received our heritage, marked out beforehand as we were, under the plan of the One who guides all things as he decides by his own will" (Eph. 1:911). Jesus Christ has achieved so much for us that he deserves our worship and adoration. He makes us, people of different tribes, tongues and nations, a kingdom and priests to our God and to reign on earth.
Jesus Christ, in today's gospel reading, speaks of how some of us often turn down his best offer to them. He says, "Would that even today you knew the things that make for peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes. ....; because you did not know the time of your visitation."
Lord our God, we beg you to always keep us on the way of salvation. Amen.
Rev. Fr. Andrew Olowomuke
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