Wednesday 16 November 2022

Today is Wednesday the 16th of November, in the 33rd week of Ordinary time.

The Choir of Royal Holloway sing, ‘All Angels’, by George Arthur. This song, with words based on Revelation, lifts us up to heavenly places. Can you enter into prayer today by imagining the scene?


And there was a great calm,
And lo, I saw ten thousand times a thousand angels round the throne of light.
Alleluia.

Today’s reading is from the Book of the Apocalypse.


Apoc 4:1-11

After this I looked, and there in heaven a door stood open! And the first voice, which I had heard speaking to me like a trumpet, said, ‘Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after this.’ At once I was in the spirit, and there in heaven stood a throne, with one seated on the throne! And the one seated there looks like jasper and cornelian, and around the throne is a rainbow that looks like an emerald. Around the throne are twenty-four thrones, and seated on the thrones are twenty-four elders, dressed in white robes, with golden crowns on their heads. Coming from the throne are flashes of lightning, and rumblings and peals of thunder, and in front of the throne burn seven flaming torches, which are the seven spirits of God; and in front of the throne there is something like a sea of glass, like crystal.

Around the throne, and on each side of the throne, are four living creatures, full of eyes in front and behind: the first living creature like a lion, the second living creature like an ox, the third living creature with a face like a human face, and the fourth living creature like a flying eagle. And the four living creatures, each of them with six wings, are full of eyes all around and inside. Day and night without ceasing they sing,

‘Holy, holy, holy, the Lord God the Almighty, who was and is and is to come.’

And whenever the living creatures give glory and honour and thanks to the one who is seated on the throne, who lives for ever and ever, the twenty-four elders fall before the one who is seated on the throne and worship the one who lives for ever and ever; they cast their crowns before the throne, singing,

‘You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honour and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created.’

Today’s reading presents us with a spectacular scene that is hard to imagine. The four living creatures of the lion, the ox, the eagle and the human being are the symbols of the gospel writers in art. Is there something in the Gospels that is special to you and makes you want to give glory, honour and thanks to God?


In this scene of heavenly triumph, God is praised as the creator of all things. What is there in creation that makes you want to praise God? Can you take time now to bring these things to your imagination and get in touch with your desire to praise and thank our loving Creator?

We get a chance now to hear the reading again. As you listen, notice what details stay with you and what desires and feelings they inspire in you.

Is there something that you want to say or sing to God in worship and praise? What comes to your mind and heart? Take time to respond to this powerful reading.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.