Bible
Study: Revelations 5, 1 to 10 and Luke 19, 41 to 44.
In Genesis 22, 1 to 12, we encounter the story of how God told Abraham
to sacrifice his son Isaac as a test of his faith. Precisely in verse 7, Isaac
asked Abraham, “we have fire and wood, but where is the lamb?” and Abraham said
“God would provide.” Moving into the book of Exodus chapter 12, we see Moses
instructing the Israelites about the Passover. Each family was to take an
unblemished lamb and smear their doors with its blood. In this way, the Angel
of death would pass over their houses.
When we go through Leveticus, Numbers, Deuteromony and so on, we would
discover that each time bible makes mention of the lamb, it does so from the
perspective of sacrifice. In Samuel 7,9: Samuel took a lamb without stain and
offered it as a burnt offering to the Lord. In verses 10 to 12 we read: “As
Samuel was offering up the burnt offering, the Philistines drew near to attack
Israel; but the LORD thundered with a mighty voice that day against the
Philistines and threw them into confusion; and they were routed before Israel.”
Isaiah 53, 7 we read: “He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he
did not open his mouth; like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and like a
sheep that before its shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth.” When
Jeremiah was being oppressed for saying the truth, he said in 11, 19: “But I
was like a gentle lamb led to the slaughter!”
Now, coming down to the New Testament, we hear John the Baptist introducing
Jesus to the crowd in these very words: “Here is the Lamb of God who takes away
the sin of the world!” It is at this point that we get to understand who this
lamb really is.
The lamb Abraham said God would provide, the lamb that was sacrificed in
Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy, the lamb Samuel offered and the prophets spoke
about is Jesus Christ. As Peter would say: “You know that you were ransomed
from the futile ways inherited from your ancestors, not with perishable things
like silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb
without defect or blemish.” 1 Peter 1, 18 to 19.
No wonder coming to the last book of the Bible, we hear one song: Worthy
indeed is the lamb! Indeed, worthy is the Lamb “to receive the scroll and break
open its seals, for you were slain and with your Blood you purchased for God those
from every tribe and tongue, people and nation. You made them a kingdom and
priests for our God, and they will reign on earth.”
Today we remember St. Elizabeth of Hungary. She was of a royal family
and married off at a very young age to Ludwig of Thuringia. Together the couple
had three beautiful children. Elizabeth continued to live a life full of prayer
and a service to the poor. She began to
lead an austerely simple life, practiced penance, and devoted herself to works
of charity. She used her royal position to advance her mission for charity.
She wore simple clothing and set aside time every day to take bread to
hundreds of poor people in her land. In 1226, when disease and floods struck
Thuringia, Elizabeth took to caring for the victims. It is said she even gave
away the royal's clothing and goods to the afflicted people. Elizabeth had a
hospital built and provided for almost a thousand poor people daily.
Tragedy struck when Ludwig passed away from illness in 1227. Elizabeth
vowed to never remarry and to live a life similar to a nun, despite pressure
from relatives. Her vows included celibacy and an agreement of complete
obedience. In 1228, Elizabeth joined the Third Order of St. Francis. She
founded a hospital in honor of St. Francis, where she personally attended to
the ill. She ministered to the sick and provided support to the poor.
Elizabeth's life was consumed deeply by her devotion to God and her
charitable labor. She passed away at the age of 24, on November 17, 1231. In the
life of St. Elizabeth, we can see that even married persons can aspire to
become great Saints. Holiness is not meant for only a few. Everybody is called
to holiness regardless of status, occupation, age or gender.
Let us Pray: Lord Jesus, thank you for being the lamb of my salvation.
Amen.
Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith.
It is well with you. God bless you.
Fr. Abu
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