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Monday 34th Week OT
St. Luke’s Institute
November 24, 2014
THE FOLLOWERS +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Ø
The
Lamb standing on the mount and receiving the adoration of the redeemed is the
Christ we celebrate at the end of the Church Year as king
Ø
His
followers, the 144,000, seem almost too good to be true in the picture we get
today
DON’T SOUND LIKE US!
++++++++++++++++++++++++
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They
don’t sound like you or me, do they?
Ø
They
are described as “unblemished,” and “on their lips no deceit has been found”
Ø
In
fact, the destitute widow in the Gospel sounds way out of reach for us in her
virtue
Ø
She
“offered her whole livelihood”
Ø
We
usually make sure that our contributions don’t leave us shortchanged or lacking
They’re
God’s Gift to us +++++++++++++++++++++
Ø
But
the point is that any kind of virtue of the quality mentioned here has to be
God’s gift to us
Ø
It
must be the result of our receiving the salvation, the help offered us by the
Savior
Ø
The
qualities described in Revelation are not proclaimed to make us despair or
become scrupulous
Ø
We
don’t, we can’t, just grit our teeth and come up with flawless lives, absolute
purity, total generosity
Ø
They
are God’s gift available only to hose recognizing their need and willing to
receive help
Ø
These
awesome pictures of total virtue should not arouse worry and concern in us
Ø
They
should arouse trust and confidence in the Lord from whom alone can come such
holiness
CONCLUSION ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
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The
Lord is present here to forgive, renew, and strengthen
Ø
And
that through God’s grace virtue and transformation might be accomplished
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