A MOST RARE JEWEL…

Revelation 21:9-14 
9 Then came one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls full of the seven last plagues, and spoke to me, saying, “Come, I will show you the Bride, the wife of the Lamb.”
10 And in the Spirit he carried me away to a great, high mountain, and showed me the holy city Jerusalem coming down out of heaven from God,11 having the glory of God, its radiance like a most rare jewel, like a jasper, clear as crystal.12 It had a great, high wall, with twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels, and on the gates the names of the twelve tribes of the sons of Israel were inscribed;13 on the east three gates, on the north three gates, on the south three gates, and on the west three gates.14 And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them the twelve names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.

John 1:45-51 

45 Philip found Nathana-el, and said to him, “We have found him of whom Moses in the law and also the prophets wrote, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.”46 Nathana-el said to him, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” Philip said to him, “Come and see.”
47 Jesus saw Nathana-el coming to him, and said of him, “Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile!”48 Nathana-el said to him, “How do you know me?” Jesus answered him, “Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you.”49 Nathana-el answered him, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!”50 Jesus answered him, “Because I said to you, I saw you under the fig tree, do you believe? You shall see greater things than these.”51 And he said to him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, you will see heaven opened, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man.”

MEDITATION

THE FIRST READING: Seven angels who destroyed the Egyptions that allowed the Israelites to escape, transport John the apostle to a great high mountain to view Jerusalem the heavenly city of God, where twelve angels gaurd the gates on which the names of the twelve apostles were inscribed. 

John envision that Gods disciples who remained obedient and faithfull have found their rest in this heavenly kingdom, from where they prayerfully intercede for those who operate in the temporal city of God, the ecclesiastical Church here on earth. 

THE GOSPEL READING: Nathana-els verbal sceptism about the credentials of Christ is expunged when our Lord identified that he was a righteous man; one who is wise, virtuous and who knew the difference between right and wrong and good and evil. Nathana-el is honest and upfront, unlike Adam and Eve who used the leaves of the figtree to hide their shameful sins.Gen 3:1-7

We the members of the body of Christ are most rare jewels who should not endure restlessness covered by sins that manifest with spouts of anger and shame in and out of season! Instead of hiding our shame behind a figleave, we are called to access the supernatural spiritual gifts—the Holy Sacraments—heavenly surgical balm and fruits, that emmenate from the life, death and ressurection that Christ Jesus bequeathed to His Church, the Holy City of God, so we may be healed and restored. 

LET US PRAY: Psalms 145:10-13,17-18

10 All thy works shall give thanks to thee, O LORD, and all thy saints shall bless thee!11 They shall speak of the glory of thy kingdom, and tell of thy power,12 to make known to the sons of men thy mighty deeds, and the glorious splendor of thy kingdom.
13 Thy kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and thy dominion endures throughout all generations. The LORD is faithful in all his words, and gracious in all his deeds.17 The LORD is just in all his ways, and kind in all his doings.18 The LORD is near to all who call upon him, to all who call upon him in truth.

Commentary. 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.