Throughout the Easter season this year the second reading comes from the Book of Revelation, the last book of the Bible. It describes heaven-sent mystical imagery of the presence and action of the Risen Christ. “Behold, God’s dwelling is with the human race,” we hear today. Nuptial imagery is used. Christ is the bridegroom; the Church, his Body on earth, is the bride.
The word “new” is used four times in the reading today. “I, John, saw a new heaven and a new earth.” This vision creates a bookend with the first page of our Bible with God’s original creation of heaven and earth. For God, chaos is the prelude to creation in Genesis, in Revelation, and in our Christian living.
Hardships, trials, suffering, pain, confusion, and illness are part of human living. When we allow ourselves to enter into them and move through them with the assurance and strength of Christ’s presence, we are able to come through to the other side.
How do you experience God dwelling with you? In what ways have you experienced something new by making it through tough times?