Daily Retreat 11/21/08
2008 Nov 21 Fri: Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary M
Rv 10: 8-11/ Ps 118(119): 14. 24. 72. 103. 111. 131/ Lk 19: 45-48
From today’s readings: “You must prophesy again about many peoples, nations, tongues, and kings.... How sweet to my taste is Your promise!... My house shall be a house of prayer, but you have made it a den of thieves....”
Sweet and Sour
If you’ve been reading Revelation (including the chapters omitted from the lectionary), you’ll note that Chapter Ten and the first verses of Chapter Eleven form interludes between the sounding of the sixth trumpet (9:13ff) and the cataclysmic seventh trumpet (11:15). Remember the principle that this last book of the Bible portrays ineffable heavenly realities in (necessarily) inadequate earthly images.
So, symbols and symbolic actions constantly cry out for explanations and interpretations - occasionally, Revelation itself offers the key; sometimes, careful study can lead to justifiable conclusions; often enough, however, the symbols are ambiguous and open to many interpretations, so in such cases, everyone is invited to prayerfully ponder and propose interpretations that can be harmonized with the rest of Revelation.
For example, consider the incident in Chapter Ten in which John is directed to a scroll in angel’s hand and commanded to "Take and swallow it. It will turn your stomach sour, but in your mouth it will taste as sweet as honey." The context clarifies that the scroll symbolizes further prophesy (cf. 10:11), but why is it sweet in the mouth, but sour in the stomach? I have heard a number of explanations, and even have conjectures of my own, but don’t be afraid to chew on and digest this image for yourself by reading Ezekiel 2:8 and 3:1-3 and then re-reading all of Chapter Ten.
Rv 10: 8-11/ Ps 118(119): 14. 24. 72. 103. 111. 131/ Lk 19: 45-48
From today’s readings: “You must prophesy again about many peoples, nations, tongues, and kings.... How sweet to my taste is Your promise!... My house shall be a house of prayer, but you have made it a den of thieves....”
Sweet and Sour
If you’ve been reading Revelation (including the chapters omitted from the lectionary), you’ll note that Chapter Ten and the first verses of Chapter Eleven form interludes between the sounding of the sixth trumpet (9:13ff) and the cataclysmic seventh trumpet (11:15). Remember the principle that this last book of the Bible portrays ineffable heavenly realities in (necessarily) inadequate earthly images.
So, symbols and symbolic actions constantly cry out for explanations and interpretations - occasionally, Revelation itself offers the key; sometimes, careful study can lead to justifiable conclusions; often enough, however, the symbols are ambiguous and open to many interpretations, so in such cases, everyone is invited to prayerfully ponder and propose interpretations that can be harmonized with the rest of Revelation.
For example, consider the incident in Chapter Ten in which John is directed to a scroll in angel’s hand and commanded to "Take and swallow it. It will turn your stomach sour, but in your mouth it will taste as sweet as honey." The context clarifies that the scroll symbolizes further prophesy (cf. 10:11), but why is it sweet in the mouth, but sour in the stomach? I have heard a number of explanations, and even have conjectures of my own, but don’t be afraid to chew on and digest this image for yourself by reading Ezekiel 2:8 and 3:1-3 and then re-reading all of Chapter Ten.
posted by FrPitstick | 11/19/2008
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