DAILY MASS READINGS 29th September, 2014 Feast of Saints Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael, Archangels Rosary: Joyful Mysteries Liturgical Colour: White #1st Reading: DANIEL 7:9-10, 13-14 As I watched: Thrones were set up and the Ancient One took his throne. His clothing was bright as snow, and the hair on his head as white as wool; His throne was flames of fire, with wheels of burning fire. A surging stream of fire flowed out from where he sat; Thousands upon thousands were ministering to him, and myriads upon myriads attended him. The court was convened, and the books were opened. As the visions during the night continued, I saw One like a son of man coming, on the clouds of heaven; When he reached the Ancient One and was presented before him, He received dominion, glory, and kingship; nations and peoples of every language serve him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that shall not be taken away, his kingship shall not be destroyed. Or REVELATION or APOCALYPSE 12:7-12AB War broke out in heaven; Michael and his angels battled against the dragon. The dragon and its angels fought back, but they did not prevail and there was no longer any place for them in heaven. The huge dragon, the ancient serpent, who is called the Devil and Satan, who deceived the whole world, was thrown down to earth, and its angels were thrown down with it. Then I heard a loud voice in heaven say: “Now have salvation and power come, and the Kingdom of our God and the authority of his Anointed. For the accuser of our brothers is cast out, who accuses them before our God day and night. They conquered him by the Blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; love for life did not deter them from death. Therefore, rejoice, you heavens, and you who dwell in them.” . . . The word of the Lord.... #Responsorial Psalm PS 138:1-2AB, 2CDE-3, 4-5. R. (1) In the sight of the angels I will sing your praises, Lord. I will give thanks to you, O LORD, with all my heart, for you have heard the words of my mouth; in the presence of the angels I will sing your praise; I will worship at your holy temple and give thanks to your name. R. In the sight of the angels I will sing your praises, Lord. Because of your kindness and your truth; for you have made great above all things your name and your promise. When I called, you answered me; you built up strength within me. R. In the sight of the angels I will sing your praises, Lord. All the kings of the earth shall give thanks to you, O LORD when they hear the words of your mouth; And they shall sing of the ways of the LORD “Great is the glory of the LORD R. In the sight of the angels I will sing your praises, Lord. #Gospel Acclamation: Psalm 102:21 Alleluia, alleluia! Give thanks to the Lord, all his hosts, his servants who do his will. Alleluia! #Gospel: JOHN 1:47-51 Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward him and said of him, “Here is a true child of Israel. There is no duplicity in him.” Nathanael said to him, “How do you know me?” Jesus answered and said to him, “Before Philip called you, I saw you under the fig tree.” Nathanael answered him, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the King of Israel.” Jesus answered and said to him, “Do you believe because I told you that I saw you under the fig tree? You will see greater things than this.” And he said to him, “Amen, amen, I say to you, you will see heaven opened and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man.” . . . The Gospel of the Lord.... You will see the angels of God #Gospel: John 1:47-51 #Meditation: What would you give to see beyond the visible - to see heaven opened and to behold the angels who stand in Gods presence? When Philip brought his friend Nathanael to see Jesus, Jesus did the unthinkable! He brought revelation to Nathanael - revelation of how God looks at each one of us in the very depths of our hearts and invites us into intimate communion with him in his heavenly court. Nathanael was very startled that Jesus could know him and understand what was in his heart even before Nathanael had the opportunity to speak with Jesus. Gods word brings blessing and refreshment for those who reflect on it What is the significance of Jesus revelation of seeing Nathanael under the fig tree? For the people of Israel, the fig tree was a symbol of Gods peace and blessing (1 Kings 4:24b-25, Micah 4:4). It provided shade from the midday sun and a cool refreshing place to retreat, pray, and reflect on Gods word. Rabbis often gathered their disciples under the shade of the fig to teach them the wisdom and revelation of God from the Scriptures. The rabbis had an expression for comparing the fig tree to being nourished with Gods word in Scripture, He who tends the fig tree will eat its fruit. Jesus offers the greatest gift possible - peace and friendship with God It is very likely that Nathanial had been thinking about God under his fig tree and reflecting on Gods promise in the Scriptures to send a Messiah King who would free his people from sin and oppression and usher in Gods kingdom of righteousness and peace for the whole world. Perhaps Nathanael dozed off for a midday nap and dreamt of Gods kingdom like Jacob had dreamt when God gave him a vision of a great ladder which united earth with heaven (see Genesis 28:12-17). Through the gift of revelation Nathanael recognized that Jesus was truly the Messiah, the everlasting Son of God and King of Israel (John 1:49). The Lord Jesus offered to Nathanael the greatest gift possible - the gift of friendship with God and free access to Gods throne in heaven. Jesus promises that we will dwell with the living God What does Jesus mean when he says you will see heaven opened, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man? One of the most remarkable revelations recorded in the bible is the dream of Jacob (Genesis 28:12-17). God had opened a door for Jacob that brought him and his people into a new relationship with the living God. In Jacobs dream God revealed his angelic host and showed him the throne of heaven and promised Jacob that he and his descendants would dwell with the living God. Gods angels serve us Who are the angels and why do they intervene between heaven and earth? The Scriptures tell us the angels are Gods servants and messengers. They are the mighty ones who do his word, hearkening to the voice of his word (Psalm 103:20). The angels belong to Christ and were created for and through him (Colossians 1:16). The Letter to the Hebrews speaks of the role of the angels in Gods plan of salvation: Are they not all ministering spirits sent forth to serve, for the sake of those who are to obtain salvation? (Hebrews 1:14) Gods angels watch over us as his guardians The angels are not only messengers but protectors and guardians as well. “For he will give his angels charge of you to guard you in all yours ways” (Psalm 91:11). We are not alone in our struggle against sin and evil in the world. The armies of heaven fight for us and with us in the spiritual battle for our hearts, minds, and wills. Do you know the peace and security of a life submitted to God and to his way of peace and happiness? Jesus, the Son of God, unites earth and heaven in himself Jesus response to Nathanaels new faith is the promise that Jesus himself will be the ladder which unites earth with heaven. Jesus proclaims that he is the fulfillment of the promise made to the Patriarch Jacob and his descendants. Jesus is the true ladder or stairway to heaven. In Jesus incarnation, the divine Son of God taking on human flesh for our sake, we see the union of heaven and earth - God making his dwelling with us and bringing us into the heavenly reality of his kingdom through his Son Jesus. Jesus gives us free access to Gods presence Jesus death on the cross, where he defeated sin and won new life for us through his resurrection, opens the way for each of us to come into a new relationship with God as his adopted sons and daughters. The Lord Jesus opens the way for each one of us to ascend to heaven and to bring heaven to earth in the daily circumstances of our lives. Gods kingdom is present in those who seek him and who strive to do his will. Through the gift of faith God opens a door for each one of us to the heavenly reality of his kingdom. Do you see with the eyes of faith what the Lord Jesus has done for us? Heavenly Father, through your Son Jesus Christ, you have opened the way to heaven for us. As you revealed yourself to your beloved patriarchs and apostles, so reveal yourself to me that I may recognize your presence with me and know the power of your kingdom at work in my life. May I always find joy in your presence and never lose sight of your kingdom. -dailyscripture.net May the word of God bless and heal our hearts in Jesus name. Amen!!!
Posted on: Mon, 29 Sep 2014 03:56:12 +0000
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