Memorial of St. Elizabeth of Hungary, religious
The readings today may be difficult to understand. Yet, by looking closely, a beautiful message runs throughout them. In the first reading, we see a figure on the throne: God the Father. He holds a scroll with seven seals. Seven is the number of perfection, so only a perfect being can open the scroll. Introduced, then, is the Lamb—the root of David, with His seven eyes and seven horns—signifying a perfect sacrificial being: Jesus. By dying for us as a sacrificial offering, he opens the scroll and permits those listed in it into the glory of heaven.
The response for the psalm is, “The Lamb has made us a kingdom of priests to serve our God,” referencing the last line of the first reading. That kingdom is both earthly—the Church—and the kingdom of heaven. Everyone participates in the sacrifice of Christ in a priestly manner. The priest offers up the sacrifice. Likewise, everyone is to offer up the sacrifice of themselves to Christ through the priest. This is done at the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. The people offer themselves completely to Christ as He offered Himself at the last supper. The people offer themselves completely by bearing the cross, whatever it be, without withholding any love. As the psalm says, those who are faithful in this will exult in the glory of God. If we do not prepare our hearts in this manner, it will be us whom Jesus weeps for in not preparing for what is to be our visitation—death.
“If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts.” In three short days, we celebrate Christ the King. Let us allow our hearts to be softened to love and to submit to Christ the King in the humble offering of ourselves in love.
Reflection by Garrett, seminarian
Posted in Articles for Ordinary Time, Daily Reflections