AMONG THE NUMBER

The Book of Revelation says, ‘…after this I looked and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and people and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, and crying with a loud voice, ‘Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb’ (cf. Rev 7:2-4, 9-14).  Scripture explains that ‘such are the people who seek him, who seek the face of the God of Jacob’ (cf. Ps 24(23). St. Matthew is specific about these persons who are numbered among the chosen when he says, ‘Blessed are the poor in spirit….Blessed are those who mourn …. Blessed are the meek …. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness ….. Blessed are the merciful …Blessed are the pure in heart….. Blessed are the peacemakers….. Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness sake …Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely… ‘(Mt 5:1-12a).

Beloved people of God, ours is to make an honest effort to be among this number, a great multitude that cannot be counted.  God rewards every honest effort that we make, as we cooperate with the grace that he grants to his beloved children. We strive, generously and cheerfully, to be among the ‘Blessed’ whom the Lord refers to in today’s gospel reading according to Matthew. God cannot be outdone in generosity.

St John writes that ‘everyone who thus hopes in him (God) purifies himself as he (God) is pure’ (cf: 1Jn 3:1-3).  We pray to become conscious of the kind of love that the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are’.  We look forward to the time when we shall see God face to face as he is.

    Fr. Ted