First Reading: Revelation 5:1-10
And I saw in the right hand of Him who sat on the throne a book written within and without, sealed with seven seals. And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice: Who is worthy to open the book and to loose the seals thereof?
And no man was able, neither in heaven nor on earth nor under the earth, to open the book nor to look on it. And I wept much because no man was found worthy to open the book nor to see it.
And one of the elders said to me: Weep not, behold the lion of the tribe of Judah, the root of David, has prevailed to open the book and to loose the seven seals thereof. And I saw, and behold in the midst of the throne and of the four living creatures and in the midst of the elders a Lamb standing as it were slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth.
And He came and took the book out of the right hand of Him who sat on the throne. And when He had opened the book, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps and golden vials full of odors which are the prayers of saints.
And they sang a new canticle saying: You are worthy, O Lord, to take the book and to open the seals thereof, because you were slain and have redeemed us to God in your blood out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation. And have made us to our God a kingdom and priests, and we shall reign on the earth.
Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 149:1b-2, 3-4, 5-6a and 9b
R. The Lamb has made us a kingdom of priests to serve our God. or Alleluia.
Alleluia: Psalms 95:8
Gospel: Luke 19:41-44
And when He drew near, seeing the city, He wept over it saying: If you also had known, and that in this your day, the things that are for your peace, but now they are hidden from your eyes.
For the days shall come upon you, and your enemies shall cast a trench about you and surround you and straiten you on every side, and beat you flat to the ground and your children who are in you, and they shall not leave in you a stone upon a stone, because you have not known the time of your visitation.
Reflection
No one in heaven or on earth can open the sealed book - the mystery of God's plan. John weeps. Then an elder says: Weep not, behold the Lion of Judah, the Root of David, has prevailed. John looks and sees not a lion but a Lamb, standing as slain, with seven horns and seven eyes. He is worthy because He was slain and by His blood redeemed us from every tribe and tongue and nation.
When the Lamb takes the book, all heaven falls down, with harps and golden vials full of incense which are the prayers of the saints, singing a new song: You are worthy.
But in the Gospel, Jesus weeps over Jerusalem. If you had known in this your day the things that are for your peace, but now they are hidden. You did not know the time of your visitation.
The Lamb has opened the mystery. Do not harden your heart today. Recognize His visitation when He comes in prayer, in the poor, in His word. Let your life be incense before Him.
Prayer
Lord Jesus, Lamb slain and living, you alone are worthy to open God's plan. You have redeemed us by your blood and made us a kingdom of priests. Do not let me miss the time of your visitation. Open my heart when I hear your voice. Receive my prayers like incense and make my life a new canticle of praise. Give me your peace. Amen.
Readings are taken from the Douay-Rheims Bible, rendered in modern English for easy reading.
