Submitted by Jan on Mon, 26/10/2015 – 19:22
Year B (2014-2015)
Chapter: 21
Verse: 1 – 6
Revelation 21: 1-6
Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”
He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” Then he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.”
He said to me: “It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To the thirsty I will give water without cost from the spring of the water of life. Those who are victorious will inherit all this, and I will be their God and they will be my children.
Reflection:
When I hear about the “end of AIDS” and how it is now a treatable disease, no different than other chronic conditions, then receive an email from a friend who is caring for someone dying of AIDS related causes, and another email from someone who is suicidal after just being diagnosed, the word “platitude” comes to mind.
Wikipedia defines platitude as:
A platitude is a trite, meaningless, or prosaic statement, generally directed at quelling social, emotional, or cognitive unease. The word derives from plat, French word for “flat.”
This scripture is far from a platitude; it is real. Even if AIDS were to end tomorrow, there would still be plenty of tears to be wiped. Something within us would still yearn for a new heaven and a new earth, for everything to be made new, and right.
Even if there were some miraculous medical discovery the injustices that lead to AIDS would still be with us (poverty, inequality, gender inequalities, migrant labour, etc.).
It is in Christ that we find solutions, comfort and hope (that is not a platitude either). One day “the old order of things will pass away”, but till that day we, with the help of our Lord are his instrument here on earth.
Author: Hack R (Ms)
Language: English