PRAISES BE SUNG
When you and I cannot see the Resurrection, we need to work
at putting ourselves in a better state and pray that our heavenly Father will
raise us up from our desolation.
The vision from the
Book of Revelation is very specific and centered on the Redeemer, on Jesus
Christ who has won the victory over sin and death. He is pictured alternately
and even simultaneously as a lion and a lamb. The standing "lamb" is
the Risen Christ, while He also appears as one who had been slain. The mystery
by which we are saved is the death and Resurrection of Jesus. His death and
Resurrection - suffering and victory - are about the purpose of His life and
our own lives as we are connected to Him. We are partners in human life!
At times, the
suffering and death aspect of human life can be so oppressively real that it is
hard even to remember the Resurrection, let alone hope for it. With Jesus, we,
as His followers and as human beings, must also go through a feeling of
abandonment. Oftentimes, we might repeat the same words that were on the lips
of Jesus, "My God, My God, why have You forsaken me?" Pain and even
despair must at times be allowed space. When you and I cannot see the
Resurrection, we need to work at putting ourselves in a better state and pray
that our heavenly Father will raise us up from our desolation. That is one of
the great lessons of the Passion of our Lord.
Let us reflect, today,
on how God has shared our suffering... and overcome it!
Again, focus on the
vision that shows the Lamb who had been slain as standing in heaven. This
posture of standing is a sign of His Resurrection. He is pictured not as lying
in the repose of death but as standing in the fullness of life. The message to
us Christians is to take heart and do not be discouraged. You too will share in
the resurrection and enjoy the fullness of life!