The Fifth Triumphant Mystery:
The City of God
"Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth. The former heaven and the former earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. I also saw the holy city, a new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband."
READING The Mystery in HOLY Scripture
Revelation 21:1-8, New American Bible, USCCB.org
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Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth. The former heaven and the former earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. I also saw the holy city, a new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.
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I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, God’s dwelling is with the human race. He will dwell with them and they will be his people and God himself will always be with them [as their God]. He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there shall be no more death or mourning, wailing or pain, [for] the old order has passed away”
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The one who sat on the throne said, “Behold, I make all things new.” Then he said, “Write these words down, for they are trustworthy and true.” He said to me, “They are accomplished. I [am] the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give a gift from the spring of life-giving water. The victor will inherit these gifts, and I shall be his God, and he will be my son. But as for cowards, the unfaithful, the depraved, murderers, the unchaste, sorcerers, idol-worshipers, and deceivers of every sort, their lot is in the burning pool of fire and sulfur, which is the second death.”
Meditating on the Mystery: Place Yourself IN the Scene
(Using your imagination, try to put yourself in the scene…)
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We stand with our brother John, a few steps away, as his eyes catch their first glimpse of the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down from heaven. How glorious it is! We hear the words that John hears, as well, in our own ears: “Behold, God’s dwelling is with the human race. He will dwell with them and they will be his people.”
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Finally, my little friend, he has triumphed, and us with him! We recall the words of St. Augustine, who wrote so often about the city of God. He said, many years ago, that “To fall in love with God is the greatest romance; to seek Him the greatest adventure; to find Him, the greatest human achievement.” We see now, how right he was.
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Contemplate this vision, my little friend. Much of our time together has been with the goal of guiding you on your journey. It is a hard road, full of suffering, and trial, and testing. We have spoken words to you, and into your heart, to prepare you to walk this road.
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But your final destination, my little friend, is not suffering. Far from it. Your end, and mine, is glory! Our place is secure, if our faith merely stay alive in our hearts. Our romance has begun, the greatest romance, linking our heart forever with the heart of our God.
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And now, you, and I, my friend, stand face-to-face with Jesus for the first time. He is not speaking to John any longer, but to us. His mother stands as his side, calling us forward. Her smile is wide and broad! A tear of happiness forms in her eye.
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We run forward, to greet them, like happy little children! And after long last, we embrace!
