I AM COMING SOON…

Revelation 3:7-8,10-12

7 “And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: ‘The words of the holy one, the true one, who has the key of David, who opens and no one shall shut, who shuts and no one opens. 

8 “‘I know your works. Behold, I have set before you an open door, which no one is able to shut; I know that you have but little power, and yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name.10 Because you have kept my word of patient endurance, I will keep you from the hour of trial which is coming on the whole world, to try those who dwell upon the earth. 

11 I am coming soon; hold fast what you have, so that no one may seize your crown. 12 He who conquers, I will make him a pillar in the temple of my God; never shall he go out of it, and I will write on him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem which comes down from my God out of heaven, and my own new name. 

John 10:11-16

11 I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. 

12 He who is a hireling and not a shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees; and the wolf snatches them and scatters them.13 He flees because he is a hireling and cares nothing for the sheep. 

14 I am the good shepherd; I know my own and my own know me, 

15 as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep.16 And I have other sheep, that are not of this fold; I must bring them also, and they will heed my voice. So there shall be one flock, one shepherd.

MEDITATION

St JOHN THE APOSTLE the Seer writing from the Island of Patmos where he was under Roman banishment presents an escatological account envisioning the fate of the faithful servants of the Church of Philadelphia. John begins to inspire and motivate his fellow apostles and their disciples who are facing percecution for spreading the word of God with the reasurance that Christ Jesus holds the key to their deliverance. 

John use structural imagery to describe the role of the leaders of the Church who has been called to teach the Gospel truth without compromise or reserve,because these truths are the pillars upon which the foundation of the Church stand.St Paul would later write to Timothy reminding him that the Church is the pillar and bulwark of the truth.1Tim 3:15 We also recall the image of the “key” that “opens and shut” was given to Peter (Mt 16:19) the supreme earthly leader, alluding to his authority to declare that which is true or false. 

THE GOSPEL READING presents a metaphoric account that describes the distinction on the matter of: care, illumination, preservation, supervision and custody of property to raise awareness of the duties and obligation of a tenant and or property owner.

Christ Jesus is indeed the landowner who has handed the faith to His Apostles to: teach, preserve and protect even in the midts of being percecuted,pain and suffering.To be sure the chief Shepherd Christ laid down His life for all mankind inaugurating a Church with hirelings, the Apostles to guard our Lords teachings and protect what He has established for the salvation of man. Simon Peter is placed in charge of the household of God as prefigured in the OT when Jothem held the keys to the temple upon king Solomon’s death.2 Ki 15:5 Peter is also the primary shepherd, the key holder to feed and care for the flock and also to bring those outside the Church into His kingdom. Ezek 34:10;Jn 21:15-18 Let us hold onto the faith for we do not know when the Master is coming lest the evil one rob us from our salvation.

LET US PRAY: Psalms 119:137-144

137 Righteous art thou, O LORD, and right are thy judgments. 

138 Thou hast appointed thy testimonies in righteousness and in all faithfulness. 

139 My zeal consumes me, because my foes forget thy words. 

140 Thy promise is well tried, and thy servant loves it. 

141 I am small and despised, yet I do not forget thy precepts. 

142 Thy righteousness is righteous for ever, and thy law is true. 

143 Trouble and anguish have come upon me, but thy commandments are my delight. 

144 Thy testimonies are righteous for ever; give me understanding that I may live.

catholicwitnessct@gmail.com    Henry R SYLVESTER              

Note: The daily scripture readings are taken from the Roman Missal which the Catholic Church use in the daily Celebration of the Holy Eucharist throughout the world.Some weekly readings may differ because of the celebration of local feast days.