We pray for God's will to be done on earth as in heaven (Mt 6:10). In heaven, those who wear "a merited crown" (2 Tm 4:8) don't keep their crowns very long. The glory they've received, symbolized by their crowns, is immediately passed on to Jesus. Continually the elders in heaven cast their crowns at the feet of Jesus as an act of loving worship (Rv 4:10).
This happens over and over again, as implied by the word "whenever" (Rv 4:9). A perpetual cycle is at work in heaven that is to be repeated on earth as it is in heaven. It seems as soon as the elders give their crowns to Jesus, another crown is placed on their heads! The elders are continually exalted in heaven, but they won't keep any glory for themselves. They give all the glory right back to Jesus.
We disciples on earth are constantly being crowned also. We receive crowns of life (Jas 1:12; Rv 2:10), glory (1 Pt 5:4), everlasting joy (Is 35:10), and many other crowns (Prv 4:9; 12:4; 14:18; Wis 4:9; 5:16; Sir 1:9). We also can cast our crowns at the feet of Jesus. When crowned with glory, we don't pause to admire it. In loving worship, we immediately pass the glory on to Jesus.
By the way, exactly halfway through the writing of this teaching, the church bells of the Catholic Church on the next block began ringing the melody to the hymn "Crown Him With Many Crowns." It seems that the Holy Spirit is underlining this message! Humble yourselves; be exalted (Mt 23:12); glorify Jesus!
| PRAYER: | Jesus, may it be more natural for me to glorify You than it is for me to breathe. |
| PROMISE: | "Day and night, without pause, they sing: 'Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty.' " –Rv 4:8 |
| PRAISE: | Michael responded to the death of his father by making a commitment to attend Mass every day. |
Reprinted with permission from Presentation Ministries, a lay association of the Catholic Church that focuses on evangelization and discipleship through Bible teaching, daily Mass, the charisms of the Holy Spirit, and Small Christian Community. Their ministries include:
· One Bread, One Body
· Daily Bread Radio Program
· Annual Bible Institute
· Discipleship Retreats
· Guadalupe Bible College