GOD’S WORD FOR THE DAY (based on Catholic Liturgical Readings)
DATE: 16TH NOVEMBER 2016
WEDNESDAY OF THE 33RD WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME
1ST READING: Revelation 4:1-11
PSALM: Psalm 150:1-6
GOSPEL: Luke 19:11-28
THEME: CASTING CROWNS
I have been particularly struck over the years by the lives of exemplary politicians, academicians and great businessmen/women who, in spite of the great power they wield, fervently uphold their faith in God. They never separate themselves from the community of faith and in the presence of God, they “cast their crowns” and partner with “common folks” to worship the Most High. There are others too who have allowed their “crowns” to make them feel so important that they have difficulties prostrating or bowing before God in worship.
Visions of the throne of God are found both in the Old Testament prophetic tradition (cf. 1 Kings 22:19—23) and in several Jewish apocalypses. The throne is symbolic of God’s sovereignty. Our First Reading echoes themes that are also found in Isaiah 6 and Ezekiel 1. Of particular interest in this reflection is the character of the “twenty-four elders” in the narration – “Around the throne are twenty-four thrones, and seated on the thrones are twenty-four elders, dressed in white robes, with golden crowns on their heads” (Rev 4:4).
The book of Revelation nowhere specifically identifies who the twenty-four elders are. However, the description of them as seated on thrones and wearing “crowns” point to the fact that they wield power. In the presence of the thrice-holy God, we read, “the twenty-four elders fall before the one who is seated on the throne and worship the one who lives forever and ever; they cast their crowns before the throne…” (Rev 4:10).
Abraham Lincoln is credited with the saying, “Nearly all men can withstand adversity. If you truly want to test a man’s character, give him power”. Often we appear to be lovers of God until a moment comes when we are crowned with power be it political, academic or economic. When that happens, the attitude of many towards the things of God changes. We often focus so much on our “crowns” that we lose sight of the One who sits on the throne and who gave us those “crowns”.
The vision of the heavenly worship as narrated by John in our First Reading should inspire us here on earth in our journey of faith. In the presence of God, let us learn to cast our crowns for it is in emptying ourselves before God that we shall be filled abundantly with his grace.
Prayer: Holy, holy, holy are you Lord God, the Almighty. You are our Lord and God; you are worthy of glory and honour and power because you made all the universe and it was only by your will that everything was made and exists. Amen
Andrews Obeng, svd
DIVINE WORD MISSIONARIES
BIBLICAL PASTORAL MINISTRY
(Ghana Province)
“May the darkness of sin and the night of unbelief vanish before the light of the Word and the Spirit of grace. And may the heart of Jesus live in the hearts of all people” (St. Arnold Janssen).