TODAY'S WORD
By
Fr. Aloysius Santiago sdb
Rector and Parish Priest
Don Bosco Shrine
Lingarajapuram, Bangalore
Blessed are those who have been called to the wedding feast of the Lamb. (Revelation 19:9)
REFLECTION
The first reading, written towards the end of the first century, the author declares, ‘Babylon the Great has fallen’, ‘Babylon’ being a code name for ‘Rome’. The author recognizes that even the great, invincible, Roman Empire would not last forever, and declares that it is God and his Son who will last forever, ‘Victory and glory and power to our God’.
In the gospel reading, Jesus speaks of himself as the Son of Man who will come ‘with power and great glory’. Nothing lasts forever, not even the great and powerful empires of the world. Only God and his Son endure; they are the beginning and the end, yesterday, today and tomorrow. God’s relationship with us endures; Jesus’ love for us lasts forever and every day he says to us what is said at the end of today’s first reading, ‘Happy are those who are invited to the wedding feast of the Lamb’.
The Lord calls us to his feast, in the future kingdom of heaven, but also in the here and now of the Eucharist. You will recognize that beatitude from the text of the Mass. The Lord’s call to us to be in communion with him is the constant in the midst of all that is changing.
That awareness can inspire us to always ‘stand erect’, holding our heads high, in the words of the gospel reading.
QUESTIONS TO PONDER
Do I believe Jesus presence in the Eucharist?
Am I grateful to Jesus for the Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist?
Am I receiving Jesus through the Eucharist with proper disposition?
Do I regularly visit Jesus present in the blessed sacrament of the Altar?
Do I frequent church because of the obligation posed on me?
Let us today thank Jesus for inviting us to the Wedding Feast.