4th Week after Holy Cross

Revelation 21:22-22:5
I saw no temple in the city, for its temple is the Lord God almighty and the Lamb. The city had no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gave it light, and its lamp was the Lamb. The nations will walk by its light, and to it the kings of the earth will bring their treasure. During the day its gates will never be shut, and there will be no night there. The treasure and wealth of the nations will be brought there, but nothing unclean will enter it, nor any (one) who does abominable things or tells lies. Only those will enter whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life. Then the angel showed me the river of life-giving water, sparkling like crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb down the middle of its street. On either side of the river grew the tree of life that produces fruit twelve times a year, once each month; the leaves of the trees serve as medicine for the nations. Nothing accursed will be found there anymore. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and his servants will worship him. They will look upon his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. Night will be no more, nor will they need light from lamp or sun, for the Lord God shall give them light, and they shall reign forever and ever.

Luke 15:3-7
So to them he addressed this parable. “What man among you having a hundred sheep and losing one of them would not leave the ninety-nine in the desert and go after the lost one until he finds it? And when he does find it, he sets it on his shoulders with great joy and, upon his arrival home, he calls together his friends and neighbors and says to them, ‘Rejoice with me because I have found my lost sheep.’ I tell you, in just the same way there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous people who have no need of repentance.

The place of infinite wealth and beauty described in the first reading is the place of the people who rejoice over the one lost sheep who returns. The heavenly city has so much wealth that they are not in need of either the wool nor the flesh of the lost sheep. Jesus came as a sheep among us, that we might follow Him in our weakness who were unwilling to follow Him in His strength. Yet, although Jesus brought back the sinner and does not need them, He rejoices over repentence. We can bring joy to God through our repentence.

Lord, have mercy on us and save us.
Hope of the living and Harbor of safety,
where all who are weary and troubled by the surging waves
and misfortunes of this world find rest,
grant that we may safely reach your port,
the place of eternal rest,
with all who have been pleasing to you.
Glory to you, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, forever.
Amen.