1ST READING
The
author of the Book of Revelation wants to paint a grim picture as he is
aware that life was grim for many Christians. The Roman Emperors were
generally unsympathetic to or even outright against this new religion of
Christianity. It was a dangerous thing to be a disciple of Jesus at
this time and, as such, there were very many martyrs in the Early
Church.
Revelation 20:1-4, 11–21:2
1 I, John, saw an angel come down from heaven, holding in his hand the key to the abyss and a heavy chain. 2 He seized the dragon, the ancient serpent, which is the Devil or Satan, and tied it up for a thousand years 3 and
threw it into the abyss, which he locked over it and sealed, so that it
could no longer lead the nations astray until the thousand years are
completed. After this, it is to be released for a short time. 4 Then
I saw thrones; those who sat on them were entrusted with judgment. I
also saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for their witness to
Jesus and for the word of God, and who had not worshipped the beast or
its image nor had accepted its mark on their foreheads or hands. They
came to life and they reigned with Christ for a thousand years. 11 Next I saw a large white throne and the one who was sitting on it. The earth and the sky fled from his presence and there was no place for them. 12 I
saw the dead, the great and the lowly, standing before the
throne, and scrolls were opened. Then another scroll was opened, the
book of life. The dead were judged according to their deeds, by what was
written in the scrolls. 13 The sea gave up its dead; then Death and Hades gave up their dead. All the dead were judged according to their deeds. 14 Then Death and Hades were thrown into the pool of fire. (This pool of fire is the second death.) 15 Anyone whose name was not found written in the book of life was
thrown into the pool of fire. 21: 1 Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth. The former heaven and the former earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. 2 I also saw the holy city, a new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.
P S A L M
Psalm 84:3, 4, 5-6, 8
R: Here God lives among his people.
2 [3] My soul yearns and pines for the courts of the Lord. My heart and my flesh cry out for the living God. (R) 3 [4] Even the sparrow finds a home, and the swallow a nest in which she puts her young — your altars, O Lord of hosts, my king and my God! (R) 4 [5] Blessed they who dwell in your house! Continually they praise you.
5 [6] Blessed the men whose strength you are! 7 [8] They go from strength to strength. (R)
GOSPEL
The
extent of human knowledge of the sciences is growing every day. Does
this leave less room for our understanding of God and His role in the
creation of the universe? I do not think so! In fact, the more we
understand the wonders of creation, the more we will believe in a
Creator who knew what He was doing when He created the world. Faith and
science do not need to be at each other’s throats.
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION
Stand erect and raise your heads because your redemption is at hand.
Luke 21:29-33
29 Jesus told his disciples a parable. “Consider the fig tree and all the other trees. 30 When their buds burst open, you see for yourselves and know that summer is now near; 31 in the same way, when you see these things happening, know that the Kingdom of God is near. 32 Amen, I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things have taken place.
33 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.”
think:
The more we understand the wonders of creation, the more we believe in a
Creator who knew what He was doing when He created the world.
T O D A Y’S BLESSING LIST
Thank You Lord for: __________________
____________________________________
God’s special verse/thought for me today_
_____________________________________
READ THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR Ezekiel 9-12
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