Apocalypse 4:1-11; Psalm 150; Luke 19:11-28
“Holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come.” The first reading speaks about the glory of God and of the praise given him by the host of heaven. The four living creatures represent the four Evangelists and so the images used are the symbols of these Evangelists. The lion for Mark, the ox for Luke, the man for Matthew, and the eagle for John. This apocalyptic writing was not to instill anxiety but to give hope to those Christian communities who were being persecuted because of their faith. Therefore, we should remain hopeful in the face of persecutions. The Gospel reading is about the gifts we have been given. These gifts are not to be buried, misused or abused. God wants us to be productive, the Gospel acclamation says “I chose you from the world that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should abide”. Therefore, we must learn to use our gifts for our own good and salvation of all. Refusal to use these gifts is tantamount to wickedness, denial of God’s reign as king, death, and eternal damnation.
Act of Hope
O Lord God, I hope by your grace for the pardon of all my sins and after life here to gain eternal happiness because you have promised it who are infinitely powerful, faithful, kind, and merciful. In this hope I intend to live and die. Amen.
