The four living creatures, each of them with six wings,
were covered with eyes inside and out.
Day and night they do not stop exclaiming:
“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God almighty,
who was, and who is, and who is to come.”
Whenever the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks
to the one who sits on the throne, who lives forever and ever,
the twenty-four elders fall down
before the one who sits on the throne
and worship him, who lives forever and ever.
Our first reading today from the Book of Revelation treats us with a vision of God's triumphant glory as the human representatives of creation worship and praise him. We on earth daily echo their prayers with the doxology that ends each decade of the rosary:
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever.
Catholics thank God for our orthodox religion, a word meaning both right praise and right teaching.
The Book of Revelation uses the tropes of this world to describe God's triumph. John the Seer of Patmos has probably never seen the emperor of Rome, nor has he frequented the halls of kings, governors, and procurators. But he has heard the songs and watched the festivities that accompany these mortal humans as they marched -- or were carried -- through the muddy, filthy streets of ancient cities. He has seen the armored, helmeted soldiers marching, causing a tremor with their stamping tread. He might have seen heavy equipment like battering rams and catapults paraded through major and minor cities . Like everyone else, he has been impressed by these displays of power. He got the emperor's message, "resistance is futile."
But he has come to believe that Jesus rose from the dead and that Christ has been given greater authority by his dying than anyone can dream of or imagine. While the emperor threatens to destroy anyone who stands in his way, the Christ will raise from the dead everyone who believes in his name. Harrumphing displays of power in this world cannot hold a candle to his visions of heaven. After the government's charade/parade has passed through the city, and the usual street sounds of screaming children and shouting merchants have resumed, the Seer still hears the four living creatures crying out day and night, "Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord God Almighty."
Revelation reminds us of our purpose in this world and the next, to praise God's goodness, beauty, and truth. It is our pleasure and privilege to see with our mortal eyes -- and to be amazed -- at all God's creation even as we hope to see with immortal eyes the One who is seated on the throne. If we are delighted now by sunsets and waterfalls and laughing children, we shall be all the more ecstatic over visions of God's goodness and holiness in eternity. These rewards are promised to us. They are right and just.
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I love to write. This blog helps me to meditate on the Word of God, and I hope to make some contribution to our contemplations of God's Mighty Works.
Ordinarily, I write these reflections two or three weeks in advance of their publication. I do not intend to comment on current events.
I understand many people prefer gender-neutral references to "God." I don't disagree with them but find that language impersonal, unappealing and tasteless. When I refer to "God" I think of the One whom Jesus called "Abba" and "Father", and I would not attempt to improve on Jesus' language.
You're welcome to add a thought or raise a question.