The Vision -- The Earth is God's Kingdom

Tuesday, October 28, 2008 -- Week of Proper 25
St. Simon and St. Jude, Apostles

Today's Reading for the Daily Office

EITHER: the readings for Tuesday of Proper 25 (Prayer Book p. 991)
Psalms 45 (morning) 47, 48 (evening)
Ecclesiasticus* 24:1-12
Revelation 11:14-19
Luke 11:27-36
* found in the Apocrypha; also called the Wisdom of Jesus Son of Sirach, or just Sirach

OR the readings for Sts Simon & Jude (Prayer Book, p. 1000)
Morning: Psalms 66; Isaiah 28:9-16; Ephesians 4:1-16
Evening: Psalms 116, 117; Isaiah 4:2-6; John 14:15-31

I chose the readings for Tuesday of Proper 25


"If your eye is healthy, your whole body is full of light." (Luke 11:34b)

The Revelation of John comes to a climactic vision today. We get a glimpse into heaven to see the true reality: "The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Messiah." (Rev. 111:15b) No matter how corrupt and threatening the world may seem, no matter how obscene and violent is the power of the empire, here is the true reality -- "The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and his Messiah." The triumph of God's Lamb is assured. Therefore do not be afraid, and do not succumb to the empire's temptations of greed and power.

Instead, we are invited to join the vision of the heavenly worship. We see the twenty-four elders who sing "eucharistoumen" -- "We give you thanks." Our earthly Eucharist is our participation in the heavenly liturgy. (Note: 24 is a symbolic number meaning the totality of God's people; we've already seen in this heavenly liturgy that the totality of the tribes of Israel are present as well as "a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages" [7:1-17])

John visualizes divine justice which is beginning to do its work in the earthly kingdom that now belongs to the Lord and his Messiah. The greed and violence which are the by-products of empire will be defeated. Later we will see that it is the mouth of the Lamb and the blood of the Lamb that defeats the evil of empire. Without violence, but with his Word and his own blood, the Lamb will judge triumphantly.

As John joins the heavenly worship, God's temple is opened and John sees into the inmost sanctuary, the ark of God's covenant. "There were flashes of lightning, rumblings, peals of thunder, and earthquake, and heavy hail." At the center of the worship in heaven is the divine presence, God's wondrous presence upon the ark of the covenant. For John, this is the deepest reality and the truest power in the universe.

From here, we will shift in John's narrative to see what is happening on earth. It will appear threatening, but after we have witnessed the reality of heaven, what can truly threaten us. If your eye can see what John has seen, your whole body will be full of light.

Lowell

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About Morning Reflections
Morning Reflections is a brief thought about the scripture readings from the Daily Office of Morning and Evening Prayer according to the practice found in the Book of Common Prayer of the Episcopal Church.

Morning Prayer begins on p. 80 of the Book of Common Prayer.
Evening Prayer begins on p. 117

An online resource for praying the Daily Office is found at www.missionstclare.com
Another form of the office from Phyllis Tickle's "Divine Hours" is available on our partner web site www.ExploreFaith.org at this location -- http://explorefaith.org/prayer/fixed/index.html


The Mission of St. Paul's Episcopal Church
is to explore and celebrate
God's infinite grace, acceptance, and love.

Visit our web site at www.stpaulsfay.org

Our Rule of Life

We aspire to...
worship weekly
pray daily
learn constantly
serve joyfully
live generously.

Lowell Grisham, Rector

St. Paul's Episcopal Church
Fayetteville, Arkansas