Today is Nov. 20, Tuesday of the Thirty-third Week in Ordinary Time.
“Worthy are you, Lord our God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things; because of your will they came to be and were created” (Rv 4:11).
This passage from the Book of Revelation (4:1-11) invites us into a profound vision of heavenly worship, unveiling the majesty and holiness of God through rich symbolism. As we meditate on this scene, we are drawn into the celestial liturgy, where all of creation joins in unending praise of the Creator.
At the center, around God’s throne, stand four living creatures, each adorned with eyes all around — signifying their vigilance and complete awareness of God’s glory. These creatures resemble:
- A lion – Symbolizing strength and majesty.
- A calf (or ox) – Representing service and sacrifice.
- A human face – Denoting intelligence and wisdom.
- An eagle in flight – Illustrating swiftness and transcendence.
Traditionally, these creatures have been associated with the four Evangelists — Matthew (man), Mark (lion), Luke (calf) and John (eagle) — each highlighting different facets of Christ’s life and ministry. Collectively, they represent the fullness of creation: humanity, wild beasts, domesticated animals and birds of the air. Their multitude of eyes signifies an all-encompassing knowledge and an unceasing contemplation of God’s glory.
“Day and night they do not stop exclaiming: ‘Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God almighty, who was, and who is, and who is to come.'” The triple repetition of “holy” emphasizes the absolute perfection and otherness of God. The Sanctus we proclaim at every Mass echoes this cry, uniting our earthly worship with heavenly praise.
Surrounding the throne are 24 elders, symbolizing the unity of the Old and New Covenants: the 12 tribes of Israel and the 12 apostles. Their presence signifies the fullness of God’s people throughout salvation history. In humility, they fall down before God, casting their crowns before the throne. This act represents the surrender of all authority and honor back to God, recognizing that he is the source of all blessings and achievements.
Let us, therefore, strive to live with hearts attuned to this eternal hymn. May we, like the living creatures and the elders, fix our gaze upon the Almighty, allowing his holiness to permeate our lives. In doing so, we embrace our true purpose: to glorify God in all things, recognizing that “because of [His] will they came to be and were created.” Our meditation becomes a lived experience as we echo the heavenly chorus, offering our lives as a continuous act of worship to the One who is worthy of all praise.
Let us join our voices with the angels and saints around the throne in prayer:
Grant us, we pray, O Lord our God, the constant gladness of being devoted to you, for it is full and lasting happiness to serve with constancy the author of all that is good. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. Amen.
My Daily Visitor spiritual reflections are a dose of daily Catholic inspiration from Our Sunday Visitor magazine.
Get these reflections in your inbox: Sign up here!
