In the first reading today from Revelation 4, we see in John’s vision of heaven some very strange looking creatures. These are the passages in Revelation that sometimes throw people for a loop. But don’t let that happen to you. Theologians and great saints down through the ages have exegeted these passages (St. Jerome and St. Bede especially) and posited on symbolic meanings for the creatures John sees. If you don’t have time to study these explanations, I suggest you concentrate more on what the angels and creatures SAY rather than what they look like.
In the Gospel reading from Luke 19, Jesus tells a story about a nobleman who goes off to a distant country to secure the kingship for himself. Upon leaving, he gives ten of his servants one gold coin each and tells them to engage in trade. On his return, he asks for an accounting from each. One servant returns ten coins, another five and another only returns the one gold coin he was given. The king scolds him and takes away the one he was given.
What does this parable speak to us? Like the gold coin in the story, each of us has been given a gift. What are you doing with yours? Are you using it for Kingdom of God? Investing it in the eternal? Or have you “buried” yours? Are you keeping it to yourself out of fear or doubt or for any other reason? If so, it’s not too late to change that. Invest your gift for eternal good today!
Father, forgive us for the times that we refuse to use the gift you have given us in your service. Teach us how to invest in eternity. Amen.
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