Nov 16: Father E.S. Berry on Today’s 1st Reading (Rev 3:1-6, 14-22)

The following commentary is more of a spiritual/moral meditation than a doctrinal/literal exegesis. For those looking for a good, non-technical commentary on the Revelation I recommend these:

COMING SOON by Michael Barber.

THE APOCALYPSE, by Adela Yarbro Collins.

CRISIS AND CATHARSIS, by Adela Yarbro Collins.

REVELATION, by Father Wilfred J. Harrington, S.J.

A Podcast Study of Revelation by Dr. Peter Williamson.

 

1. And to the angel of the church of Sardis write: These things saith he that hath the seven spirits of God, and the seven stars: I know thy works, that thou hast the name of being alive: and thou art dead.

Sardis, the capital of Lydia, was a city of considerable importance. It was about thirty miles south of Thyatira on the Pactolus, which flowed through its
market-place. It was noted for its commercial activities and for the manufacture of carpets and woolen goods. It was also the residence of the famous Croesus. The straggling village of Sart now marks the site of this ancient city.

He who has the seven spirits is the sovereign Lord of the seven spirits who stand before the throne of God. Some interpreters take these words to mean
that Christ possesses the fulness of the gifts of the Holy Ghost.  And the spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him: the spirit of wisdom and of understanding, the spirit of counsel and fortitude the spirit of knowledge and of godliness. And he shall be filled with the spirit of the fear of the Lord Isa 11:2-3).

He who has the seven stars is Christ who exercises a special care for the ministers of His Church. He is now manifesting this solicitude for the bishop of Sardis. Christ, the searcher of hearts and reins, knows the true state of this bishop s soul. He appears to be a faithful servant of God and a true shepherd of souls, but in reality he is spiritually dead. These words imply a state of moral sin and a sad neglect of pastoral duty. As noted in an earlier post, many commentators-ancient and modern-understand the seven angels of the seven churches as a reference to their respective bishops; this is an interpretation I don’t subscribe to.

2. Be watchful and strengthen the things that remain, which are ready to die. For I find not thy works full before my God.
3. Have in mind therefore in what manner thou hast received and heard: and observe, and do penance. If then thou shalt not watch: I will come to thee as athief, and thou shalt not know at what Lour I will come to thee.
4. But thou hast a few names in Sardis, which have not denied their garments: and they shall walk with me in white, because they are worthy.
5. He that shall overcome shall thus be clothed in white garments, and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, and I will confess his name before my  Father, and before the angels.
6. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the spirit saith to the churches.

Through the ministry of St. John, Christ now exhorts the bishop of Sardis to arouse himself to a realization of his sad plight. He must do penance for the past  and stir up his zeal to save the few members of his flock who remain faithful.

The pastor of souls is responsible to God for their salvation. He must teach and guide them by word and example, for the lips of the priest shall keep knowledge, and they shall seek the law at his mouth, because he is the angel of the Lord of hosts (Mal 2:7). He is like a watchman set upon a watch-tower; if he see the sword coming, and sound not the trumpet and the people look not to themselves, and the sword come, and cut oft a soulfrom among them; he indeed is taken away in his iniquity, but I will require his blood at the hand of the watchman (Isa 33:6).

These words of the prophet are also a warning that no one can make an unworthy pastor an excuse for his sins. He still has the teachings of the Church and the grace of the Sacraments which are always efficacious whether administered by a worthy or an unworthy pastor. Even when the watchman does not give warning the soul that perishes is taken away in his iniquity.

The pastor who is negligent in the care of his people is exposed to the danger of being snatched away by sudden death without the grace of the Sacraments. Unfortunately, the church of Sardis is in very sad condition, yet it numbers a lew faithful souls who shall be saved. They shall be clothed with the white garments of eternal happiness.

14. And to the angel of the church of Laodicea write: These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, who is the beginning of the creation of
God:

Laodicea was an important city of Phrygia about 50 miles southeast of Philadelphia on the river Lycus. Antiochus II colonized it about 250 B. C. and
gave it the name of his wife, Laodice. Laodicea was a centre of industries and commerce and especially famous for its woolen goods and sandals. It was also the seat of a medical school.

The Gospel had been preached in Laodicea by St. Paul’s disciple Epaphras. The house of Nymphas was used as a place of worship for the little Christian community (Col 4:13-15). The Constitutions of the Apostles mentions
St. Nymphas as the first bishop of Laodicea (Apost. Const. VII, 46). St. Paul
wrote a letter to the Christians of Laodicea which has been lost (Col 4:16).

Jesus Christ is the Amen, the unchangeable and eternal. By Him were all things created: Thou in the beginning, Lord, didst found the earth. And the
works of thy hands are the heavens (Heb 1:10).

15. I know thy works that thou art neither cold nor hot. I would that thou wert cold or hot.
16. But because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will begin to vomit thee out of my mouth.
17. Because thou sayest: I am rich, and made wealthy, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked.

The bishop of Laodicea is lukewarm and indifferent. Hence our Lord is about to reject him. He withdraws the graces that have been neglected. Christ would prefer to find the bishop entirely cold, because there would be more hopes for him. He would more easily realize his condition and do penance. Tepid souls easily deceive themselves, believing they are rich in God s grace when in reality they are in a miserable state, stripped of God s grace and blinded to their true condition.

The reference to riches may also imply that the bishop of Laodicea had given himself too much to the acquisition of worldly goods. He thus became the very opposite of St. Polycarp who was poor in material goods, but rich in the grace and love of God.

18. I counsel thee to buy of me gold fire-tried, that thou mayest be made rich: and mayest be clothed in white garments, and that the shame of thy nakedness may not appear: and anoint thy eyes with eye-salve, that thou mayest see.

The bishop is commanded to arouse himself from this spiritual lethargy. Instead of the base gold of earthly riches, he must obtain the pure gold of charity and zeal, a gold purified in the fire of trials and temptations. Thus shall he clothe himself with the white garments of grace. Then will his eyes be opened to a proper knowledge of the things of God.

19. Such as I love I rebuke and chastize. Be zealous therefore and do penance.
20. Behold, I stand at the gate and knock. If any man shall hear my voice and open to me the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.

Trials and afflictions are proof of God’s mercy and love. They arouse the soul to greater fervor. Christ is ever patient and loving. He stands at the door of our soul ready to bestow His graces and blessings. But the soul must cooperate; it must open the door to Him.

21. To him that shall overcome, I will give to sit with me in my throne: as I also have overcome, and am set down with my Father in his throne.
22. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the spirit saith to the churches.

A share in the glories of Christ in heaven is promised to those who cooperate with His graces and persevere unto the end.

These warnings to the churches show Christ s solicitude for our salvation. They also prove His deep concern for those charged with the care of souls.