Sunday, September 6, 2009

Rev 10, 1-6 In his hand he held a small scroll

Revelation 10

(Rev 10, 1-6) In his hand he held a small scroll

[1] Then I saw another mighty angel come down from heaven wrapped in a cloud, with a halo around his head; his face was like the sun and his feet were like pillars of fire. [2] In his hand he held a small scroll that had been opened. He placed his right foot on the sea and his left foot on the land, [3] and then he cried out in a loud voice as a lion roars. When he cried out, the seven thunders raised their voices, too. [4] When the seven thunders had spoken, I was about to write it down; but I heard a voice from heaven say, "Seal up what the seven thunders have spoken, but do not write it down." [5] Then the angel I saw standing on the sea and on the land raised his right hand to heaven [6] and swore by the one who lives forever and ever, who created heaven and earth and sea and all that is in them, "There shall be no more delay.

(CCC 124) "The Word of God, which is the power of God for salvation to everyone who has faith, is set forth and displays its power in a most wonderful way in the writings of the New Testament" (DV 17; cf. Rom 1:16) which hand on the ultimate truth of God's Revelation. Their central object is Jesus Christ, God's incarnate Son: his acts, teachings, Passion and glorification, and his Church's beginnings under the Spirit's guidance (Cf. DV 20). (CCC 125) The Gospels are the heart of all the Scriptures "because they are our principal source for the life and teaching of the Incarnate Word, our Saviour" (DV 18). (CCC 127) The fourfold Gospel holds a unique place in the Church, as is evident both in the veneration which the liturgy accords it and in the surpassing attraction it has exercised on the saints at all times: “There is no doctrine which could be better, more precious and more splendid than the text of the Gospel. Behold and retain what our Lord and Master, Christ, has taught by his words and accomplished by his deeds” (St. Caesaria the Younger to St. Richildis and St. Radegunde: SCh 345, 480). “But above all it's the gospels that occupy my mind when I'm at prayer; my poor soul has so many needs, and yet this is the one thing needful. I'm always finding fresh lights there; hidden and enthralling meanings” (St. Thérèse of Lisieux, ms. autob. A 83v.).

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