Defeating the Dragon
- davidwperk
- Nov 10, 2023
- 5 min read
Devotional Reflection, Friday, November 10, 2023
Proper 26, the week of the twenty-thirdSunday after Pentecost
The Rev. David W Perkins, Th.D.
Key phrases for reflection from today’s reading:
2And I saw what appeared to be a sea of glass mixed with fire, and those who had conquered the beast and its image and the number of its name, standing beside the sea of glass with harps of God in their hands. 3And they sing the song of Moses, the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb: ‘Great and amazing are your deeds, Lord God the Almighty! Just and true are your ways, King of the nations
You will find the full text of today’s Revelation reading at the end of this reflection.
Daily Office Lectionary Readings (BCP, 990)
AM Psalm 69:1-23(24-30)31-38; PM Psalm 73
Ezra 7:27-28, 8:21-36; Rev. 15:1-8; Matt. 14:13-21
Today we celebrate the Feast of Leo the Great. (See below.)
David's Reflections
John's vivid imagery here takes us back to Moses, the Israelites, deliverance from Egypt, and the crossing of the Red Sea. In that Old Testament story, God resisted Pharaoh because he was oppressing God's people. That resistance to oppression and evil the Bible calls God’s wrath. Here, God's people again were being oppressed, this time by the Roman authorities for their refusal to worship the Emperor and ascribe to him titles and loyalty reserved for Jesus. (The Emperor was called kurios, the Greek term for Lord, and the term of honor Christians ascribe to Jesus.)
The Seer of Revelation here witnesses to God's promise that those being persecuted would be delivered through the sea of chaos, even if they faced martyrdom. God would deliver them through death to their resurrection hope.
The Revelation offers us a subtle political message. Our ultimate loyalty can be ascribed only to God and God’s rule among us. We give thanks for the political system because it punishes evil, rewards the good, and makes for an ordered existence (Romans 13). However, the state can become a demonic power, punishing the good and rewarding the evil. When that happens, we refuse to obey laws and demands that are contrary to our Christian conviction and the teaching of Jesus. America rebelled against a king in the eighteenth century because of his tyranny. Christians can be guilty of personality ethics, pledging their allegiance to a leader in spite of that leader’s moral and ethical deficiencies. Demagoguery feeds on that kind of loyalty.
It is our calling as Christians to be loyal ultimately to God and to be vigilant for government's departure from its own ideals. Our prophetic calling may well put us in an adversarial position with local, state, or national political leaders and with our friends, fellow parishioners, and family who support them. In one instance, the mayor of a town where I lived instigated a subtle oppression of the homeless to drive them elsewhere in the metro area rather than providing city services.
Today's text promises us that no oppressor will ultimately be able to take our liberty from us. The God of the Exodus specializes in opening the sea of chaos and opposition and leading us safely through. And, that same God specializes in drowning oppressors in the midst of their efforts to renew their oppression. Jesus triumphed over evil through his death and resurrection, so the dragon’s ultimate fate is sealed. The powers of evil are a bit like a football team behind by four scores with five minutes remaining in the game. The losers may score a touchdown or two but they cannot avoid their ultimate defeat.
The dragon is doomed. Our calling is to continue our faithful nonviolent resistance to evil, to look the bully in the face knowing that the bully’s power to control us lies only in our fear.
Collect of the Day, All Saints’ Day November 1
Almighty God, you have knit together your elect in one communion and fellowship in the mystical body of your Son Christ our Lord: Give us grace so to follow your blessed saints in all virtuous and godly living, that we may come to those ineffable joys that you have prepared for those who truly love you; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen. (BCP, 245)
Today we celebrate the Feast of Leo the Great, bishop of Rome, doctor of the church (died 10 Nov 461 CE)
Collect of the Feast of Leo the Great
O Lord our God, grant that your Church, following the teaching of your servant Leo of Rome, may hold fast the great mystery of our redemption, and adore the one Christ, true God and true Man, neither divided from our human nature nor separate from your divine Being; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
A Collect for Fridays
Lord Jesus Christ, by your death you took away the sting of death: Grant to us your servants so to follow in faith where you have led the way, that we may at length fall asleep peacefully in you and wake up in your likeness; for your tender mercies' sake. Amen. (BCP, 123)
A Collect for the Presence of Christ
Lord Jesus, stay with us, for evening is at hand and the day is past; be our companion in the way, kindle our hearts, and awaken hope, that we may know you as you are revealed in Scripture and the breaking of bread. Grant this for the sake of your love. Amen. (BCP, 124)
A Collect for Mission
Everliving God, whose will it is that all should come to you through your Son Jesus Christ: Inspire our witness to him, that all may know the power of his forgiveness and the hope of his resurrection; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. (BCP, 816-817)
Daily Office Epistle, Revelation 15:1-8
15:1Then I saw another portent in heaven, great and amazing: seven angels with seven plagues, which are the last, for with them the wrath of God is ended. 2And I saw what appeared to be a sea of glass mixed with fire, and those who had conquered the beast and its image and the number of its name, standing beside the sea of glass with harps of God in their hands. 3And they sing the song of Moses, the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb: ‘Great and amazing are your deeds, Lord God the Almighty! Just and true are your ways, King of the nations! 4Lord, who will not fear and glorify your name? For you alone are holy. All nations will come and worship before you, for your judgments have been revealed.’
5 After this I looked, and the temple of the tent of witness in heaven was opened, 6and out of the temple came the seven angels with the seven plagues, robed in pure bright linen, with golden sashes across their chests. 7Then one of the four living creatures gave the seven angels seven golden bowls full of the wrath of God, who lives forever and ever; 8and the temple was filled with smoke from the glory of God and from his power, and no one could enter the temple until the seven plagues of the seven angels were ended.
Daily Offices in The Book of Common Prayer
Morning Prayer, Rite 2, page 75, The Book of Common Prayer
Noonday Prayer, page 103, Book of Common Prayer
Order of Worship for Evening (Vespers), p 109, Book of Common Prayer
Evening Prayer, Rite 2, page 115, Book of Common Prayer
Compline (Night Prayer), page 127, Book of Common Prayer
Daily Devotionals, page 136, Book of Common Prayer
Comments