Alleluia, alleluia!
Even if you have to die, says the Lord,
keep faithful, and I will give you
the crown of life.
Alleluia!Gospel Acclamation for the 33rd Sunday of Ordinary Time
Revelation 2:10
The theme of the Gospel Acclamation might seem to come almost out of anywhere: why this talk of dying? The gospel is about money and money making and community – why the talk of death?
Perhaps it is because the Gospel parables we have been hearing over these last Sundays – of bridesmaids, talents – are parables told by Jesus in Matthew’s Gospel immediately before the events of his Passion. The discourse of faithfulness and commitment is not general abstract chat about faithfulness, it is about life lived in perfect love and ready to make the ultimate commitment to God and neighbour.
That lived commitment of Jesus is the model for us to follow; and the gift of his life and love is what even begins to make it possible for us…
Grave marker. Tikhvin Cemetery, Moscow. (c) 2015, Allen Morris
Living Eucharist 
Reblogged this on St Nicholas, Boldmere.
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