Monday, May 22, 2017

Parable and Conscience Meditation May 22

Glorious Cross  May 22

In Cruce Salus – In the Cross, Salvation (Crosier motto).

The Book of Revelation (Apocalypse) of the New Testament proclaims the victory of Jesus in a striking way.  One has only to read the visions of the Lamb and of the Redeemed to understand the depth of confidence in this victory.  It is the Lamb who was slain who gives glory to the believers.  There is no earthy power that can stifle the deafening chants of victory.  The Book of Revelation served well the needs of a Church that was still being persecuted.  It gives courage for persevering in faithfulness, while the pagan nations attempt their last pathetic, dying efforts to overcome it.  The Death and Resurrection of Jesus saves.  In various periods of Church history, there have been enemies, either within or outside the community, who have tempted Christians to lose faith.  Despite the thunder of these threats, the Body of Christ continued to sing the chants of the triumph of the Apocalypse, as if they had been composed just for that age.  The dark side of the Cross has never eclipsed its side of glory.  Quite the contrary, the more furious the threats, the more vigorous has been the confidence.  And even more extraordinary, the Church always believed that suffering the Cross makes it stronger and makes the victory more evident.  The People of God are not afraid of the Cross.  They embrace it as the way to glory.  And in the midst of the harsh noise of intimidation, the confident and never-ending hymn of the Lamb who was slain is heard:  "Worthy is the Lamb who was slain to receive . . . power . . . for ever and ever" (Rv 5:12-13).

An old person’s mouth is twisted when talking, but doesn’t speak twisted words.  (Shi)

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