The Throne of God

 Reflection on Today's Readings, Wednesday, 33rd Week in Ordinary Time, Year II, November 18th, 2020

Texts: Rev. 4:1-11; Ps. 150:1-6; Luke 19:11-28

Today's first reading invites us to enthrone God in our lives. In atheism God is dethroned and there is profession of no authority to be accountable to. Materialist dethrones God and enthrones matter and so professes the worship of material things. Humanist dethrones God and enthrones man. 

The throne that should occupy the centre of our lives should be the throne of God.  The acceptance of God's throne in our lives is the acceptance of his rulership. We accept his rulership when we allow his love to rule us. The reading talks of the throne of God and twenty-four thrones around it. The twenty-four thrones represent the whole people of God, both the old and the new, gathering around the throne of God and worshipping with the angels. The twenty-four elders seated on the thrones represent the twelve tribes of Israel and the twelve apostles, which both form the whole people of God, old and new together. As we await the return of our Lord, we continue to worship him till he comes. We are to keep ourselves busy with the worship of our Lord till comes. The gospel reading reminds us of this fact in the gospel reading. It is said, "A nobleman went into a far country to receive kingly power, and then return. Calling ten of his servants, he gave them ten pounds, and said to them, 'Trade with these till I come'." The worship of God is an invitation to experience heaven and things to come.  Hence, St. John says, "I, John, looked, and behold, in heaven an open door! And the first voice, which I heard speaking to me like a trumpet, said, "Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after this'". The worship is to be done in the spirit. This is clear when he says, "At once I was in the Spirit, and behold, a throne stood in heaven, with one seated on the throne!"

We are reminded that we should worship him in holiness, for he is holy. It is said, "And the four living creatures, each of them with six wings, are full of eyes all around and within, and day and night they never cease to sing, 'Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty, who was and who is and is to come!" He is Almighty, for nothing is impossible for him; he is also eternal, so his help is ever sure; as he has done to the people of the past, he is still able to do it now and in the future. This means placing our hope in him is the surest and the best thing for us to do. 

The worship of God requires that we credit to him victory, honour, glory and power. Just like the twenty-four elders, we are to fall down before the throne of God to worship him.

Both the gospel and the first readings remind us that we are meant to reign with God in heaven. The first reading shows this in the twenty-four elders, who represent the whole people of God, seated on thrones. It is affirmed in the gospel reading in the response to the good servants: "Well done, good servant! Because you have been faithful in a very little, you shall have authority over ten cities", "And you are to be over five cities." If we worship God well here on earth we shall reign with him in heaven; we will sit on the thrones around the throne of our Lord in heaven.

The gospel reading also calls to mind that those who dethrone God in their lives we face the consequence of their action. It is said, "But as for enemies of mine, who did not want me to reign over them, bring them here and slay them  before me." The dethronement of God is a way to self-destruction. Therefore, Let us all enthrone God in our lives that we may reign with him in heaven.

Lord our God, grant that we may worship you so well here that we might reign with you in heaven. Amen.

Rev. Fr. Andrew Olowomuke