19 November 2020

When he had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell before the Lamb, each holding a harp and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. They sing a new song:
‘You are worthy to take the scroll
and to open its seals,
for you were slaughtered and by your blood you ransomed for God
saints from every tribe and language and people and nation;
you have made them to be a kingdom and priests serving our God,
and they will reign on earth.’.
From Apocalypse 5: 1-10, NRSV

Following the vision  of the heavenly throne room in yesterday’s reading, today we have the vision of a Lamb standing in the middle and being praised by the four creatures and elders. We are familiar with the image of the sacrificial lamb as a symbol of Christ, but this seems to be a stronger, more powerful type of lamb. The lamb or ram here is more likely to represent God than Christ. In their song, the creatures and elders acknowledge that it is only this lamb that is worthy to open the scroll. The scroll to which they refer is thought to be the scroll of history mentioned by the prophet Ezekiel. God, who has been part of all history, is the only one worthy to open the scroll and reveal its contents.

• • What do you think might be written in the scroll?
  • Are there parts of history that you wish had not happened? Why were they able to take place? 

Think back over the history of your life so far – the good and the not so good. Ask for the grace to see how God has been part of all that you have experienced.