Daily Retreat 11/27/08
2008 Nov 27 Thu: Ordinary Weekday/ Thanksgiving Day
Rv 18: 1-2. 21-23; 19: 1-3. 9a/ Ps 99(100): 1b-2. 3. 4. 5/ Lk 21: 20-28.
Options for Mass in Thanksgiving to God: Sir 50: 22-24/ 1 Chron 29:10bc, 11, 12/ Col 3:12-17/ Jn 15:9-17
From today’s readings: “Blessed are those who have been called to the wedding feast of the Lamb.... they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory....”
The Wedding Feast of the Lamb
Yesterday, I mentioned that many Old Testament allusions permeate the book of Revelation. Although many Catholics are unaware of it, the Mass also is rich in scriptural allusions and quotations, so when reading the Bible, you will occasionally come across a verse that sounds very familiar because it is in the Mass; or, conversely, at Mass you might make the discovery that a prayer has a scriptural original.
Towards the end of the Apocalypse, the image of the "Wedding Feast of the Lamb" is introduced as an allegory of Heaven. An angel commands John to write the remark (19:9), "Blessed are those who have been called to the wedding feast of the Lamb!" In the Mass, this verse is echoed by the priest right before Communion, "This is the Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world. Happy are those who are called to His supper!" Unfortunately, the current translation in English is sloppy, so this quotation of the verse from Revelation 19:9 is not as apparent as it ought to be. The reply, "Lord, I am not worthy to receive You..." is also borrowed from scripture (cf. Matthew 8:8).
Also, note that the word "Eucharist" means "thanksgiving" - so on this American Thanksgiving Day, give thanks to God in the celebration of the Eucharist, the Holy Mass, which is the earthly foretaste of the Wedding Feast of the Lamb!
Rv 18: 1-2. 21-23; 19: 1-3. 9a/ Ps 99(100): 1b-2. 3. 4. 5/ Lk 21: 20-28.
Options for Mass in Thanksgiving to God: Sir 50: 22-24/ 1 Chron 29:10bc, 11, 12/ Col 3:12-17/ Jn 15:9-17
From today’s readings: “Blessed are those who have been called to the wedding feast of the Lamb.... they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory....”
The Wedding Feast of the Lamb
Yesterday, I mentioned that many Old Testament allusions permeate the book of Revelation. Although many Catholics are unaware of it, the Mass also is rich in scriptural allusions and quotations, so when reading the Bible, you will occasionally come across a verse that sounds very familiar because it is in the Mass; or, conversely, at Mass you might make the discovery that a prayer has a scriptural original.
Towards the end of the Apocalypse, the image of the "Wedding Feast of the Lamb" is introduced as an allegory of Heaven. An angel commands John to write the remark (19:9), "Blessed are those who have been called to the wedding feast of the Lamb!" In the Mass, this verse is echoed by the priest right before Communion, "This is the Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world. Happy are those who are called to His supper!" Unfortunately, the current translation in English is sloppy, so this quotation of the verse from Revelation 19:9 is not as apparent as it ought to be. The reply, "Lord, I am not worthy to receive You..." is also borrowed from scripture (cf. Matthew 8:8).
Also, note that the word "Eucharist" means "thanksgiving" - so on this American Thanksgiving Day, give thanks to God in the celebration of the Eucharist, the Holy Mass, which is the earthly foretaste of the Wedding Feast of the Lamb!
posted by FrPitstick | 11/25/2008
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