Reflection on Today's Readings, Friday, 34th Week in Ordinary Time Year II, November 27th, 2020
Texts:Rev. 20:1-4.11-21:2; Ps. 84:3-6a.8a; Luke 21:28
Today's first reading speaks of the temporary defeat of Satan; it is a kind of restrain that will last for a thousand years. There are different opinions as to the importance of the period, but that will not be our concern here. Our concern, here, is the defeat of Satan. Satan will be defeated not by God himself or Jesus Christ himself directly. This shows that Satan is far from being God's equal or Jesus' equal; Satan is not their opponent; the battle is not between Satan and God or between Satan and Jesus Christ. God is too great and mighty for Satan to engage in battle, for Satan is a creature of God. God is infinite in power and greatness but Satan is not, he is a mere creature. His actions sometimes serve God's purpose and his defeat from time to time reveals God's greatness and might to man. Nothing exists if God does not will it or does not serve his purpose.
Satan is defeated by a nameless angel, not even the popular angels like angel Michael, Gabriel, Raphael etc. That the angel has no means of recognition shows that Satan has no means of comparison with God in power and greatness.
The reading identifies Satan as a deceiver who deceives all the nations. This means that the victory over Satan is the truth of God's words. Hence, the reading is a call to always stand on the truth of God's words, for by it we shall gain our victory over Satan. Through the words of God, Satan is restrained from us, he is held bound and thrown into a bottomless pit. We need to take the word of God seriously. Let us nourish ourselves with the words of God as we nourish ourselves with food. Let no day pass without meditating on God's words.
Today's gospel reading, with the first reading, reminds us that catastrophe will not be the only thing that will occur before the return of our Lord, there shall be shower of blessing; we shall witness a glorious day before his return, a moment of relief from our enemy, Satan. Jesus puts it thus: "Look at the fig tree, and all the trees; as soon as they come out in leaf, you see for yourselves and know that the summer is already near." His return is approaching, let us always be found faithful to his words so as to maintain our victory over Satan, for only the victorious will reign with him.
Lord our God, help us with your grace to live our lives acknowledging your greatness and might and also in faithfulness to your words. Amen.
Rev. Fr. Andrew Olowomuke
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