Heaven Help Me

A Reflection on the Second Reading for Sunday, May 4th, 2025:
Third Sunday of Easter

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Revelation
​5.11-14

I, John, looked, and I heard the voice of many Angels surrounding the throne and the living creatures and the elders; they numbered myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands, singing with full voice, “Worthy is the Lamb that was slaughtered to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honour and glory and blessing!”

Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, and all that is in them, singing, “To the one seated on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honour and glory and might forever and ever!” And the four living creatures said, “Amen!” And the elders fell down and worshipped.

Pause. Pray. Reflect.

I am not someone who can read poetry or any form of writing and see the symbolism. You know where an author will repeatedly mention something, like a colour or an image, and it represents something in the story? I don’t get those! If you are trying to convey something, I need you to spell it out to me or I will definitely miss it! 

So when I read this section of Revelation I am thankful that John has really attempted to spell out the situation. I mean, he is attempting to describe something that is beyond description, but I can definitely close my eyes and form an image of glory and praise from the words John uses here. I  may not know what every creature, angel, or elder looks like, but the idea that it is a group beyond counting is so clear to me in this reading. That a number beyond counting has gathered to praise the Lord is such an amazing reality. 

The thing that struck me about this reading (after I stopped focusing on the massive praise and worship session that is heaven) is that the praise that is being given is for things that, on earth, so many of us strive to achieve in this life: power, wealth, wisdom, might, honour, glory, and blessing. As a Christian, I am called to live as Jesus lived and to love as Jesus loved. I read the Gospel and see a clear message of love, sacrifice, simplicity, trust, humility, and more. The Gospel is not a message about receiving power, glory, might, etc! 

The words of John in this reading from Revelation are a reminder that power, might, honour, and so on are not bad things in themselves. Rather, like everything, there is a time and a place for them – and here and now is not it! 

One day, God willing, I will be in heaven and I will rejoice in the Lord constantly and I will witness the very thing John wrote about here. I will see the elders falling down and worshipping. 

BUT in the here and now, I am called to something else. I am called to love, to sacrifice, and to serve. Those other things are “for the one who was slaughtered.” This is the right order. And if I follow that right order, I will know the Lord; I will follow Him and I will see Him face to face! 

This life is not forever. Whatever sacrifice or suffering I endure is temporary – the eternal reality that awaits me is heaven!




Sister Teresa MacDonald

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