Homily of Monday of the 34th Week in ordinary Time
Apocalypse 14:1-5, Luke 21:1-4
We are in the world, but we are not of the world. A journey from the kingdom of man into the kingdom of God goes with a passkey to a new song. When we truly see the beauty of God’s kingdom and understand the total victory that envelopes all who submit to it, we cannot but sing new songs which are the testimonies of our dedication to him.
However, John’s vision of Mount Zion, the new Jerusalem is a great consolation to those who spent their lives for God without reserve. While in the temple “as Jesus looked up, he saw rich people putting their offerings into the treasury; then he happened to notice a poverty-stricken widow putting in two small coins, and he said, ‘I tell you truly, this poor widow has put in more than any of them; for these have all contributed money they had over, but she from the little she had has put in all she had to live on.” That was a display of total surrender and perfect reliance on God. Not holding any back amount to doing everything to please God; not about our convenience, but his preference.
We cannot eat our cake and have it. Singing God’s song on an alien soil amount to denying our identity. Any form of romance with the world is a simple wave off to God’s kingdom. Before God’s throne no filthy tongue can gain entrance. It is a fake living if our song does not tally with our lives.
Therefore, as a candidate on Mount Zion, the mountain of the Lord, let us always watch against any form of dirty practices that may stain our garment.
“There in front of the throne they were singing a new hymn in the presence of the four animals and the elders, a hymn that could only be learnt by the hundred and forty-four thousand who had been redeemed from the world; they follow the Lamb wherever he goes; they have been redeemed from amongst men to be the first-fruits for God and for the Lamb. They never allowed a lie to pass their lips, and no fault can be found in them.
The mount Zion is the church of Christ on earth, the symbol of his kingdom on earth. The is holy, not because of own deeds, but as result of Christ who has betrothed her to himself. He is our justification. He has given the means to salvation through which we are always connected to him, while he remains our righteousness. If we are always connected to him and follow him, he will make us fit for his kingdom. He expects our daily followership and efforts to attain our eternal salvation.
May nothing separate us from the Lord. Amen
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