Rev. 5:1-10; PSALM 150; LUKE 19:41-44
The first reading presents us with the Scroll and the Lamb (Rev. 5:1-10). Who can open the Scroll? It was necessary to identify a suitable person to remove the word’s seals, crack it, and investigate it. The angels of Heaven and the ancient prophets had wished to examine the gospel of salvation, but they were forbidden. (1Peter 1:10-12).
Nobody “in heaven or on earth or under the earth” was deserving enough to open the scroll. The angels of Heaven, people on Earth, and the afterlife were all searched. Only someone who is capable of offering his own life in sacrifice for the sins of the world and having God accept it would be worthy enough to open the scroll. The Scriptures says; “Worthy is the Lamb that was slain” only the Lamb was worthy to overcome the great problem.
The Lamb’s worthiness to open the scroll is attributed to the fact that he “was slain and purchased for God, with his blood, men from every nations”. Beloved, Christ is the Lamb who was sacrificed, He has redeemed us from death and opened the way to salvation for us. How prepared are we for salvation?
The Gospel tells us that Jesus weeps over Jerusalem as a mother weeps over her child; they were blind, obstinate and unbelieving. How are we different today? He mourns for them and the sorrow that will come upon them because they did not recognize the time of their visitation from God. May our hearts be open to God’s word so that we do not miss the different opportunities presented to us for our growth and salvation as individuals and as a nation.
LET US PRAY
Eternal God, in whom mercy is endless and the treasury of compassion inexhaustible, look kindly upon us and increase your mercy in us, that in difficult moments we might not despair nor become despondent, but with great confidence submit ourselves to your holy will, which is Love and Mercy itself. Amen.
