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(Acts 13:14,43-52;\xa0\xa0 Ps.100:1-3,5;\xa0\xa0 Rv.7:9,14b-17;\xa0\xa0 Jn.10:27-30) \u201cThe Lamb who is in the center of the throne will shepherd them and lead them to springs of life-giving water.\u201d Joy is our promise in the Lord, brothers and sisters.\xa0 Absolute, eternal, universal joy.\xa0 And though we may suffer persecution now, \u201cthe time of great distress\u201d upon us but provides the means, the water, by which all saints \u201chave washed their robes and made them white.\u201d\xa0 \u201cThe blood of the Lamb\u201d is necessary to bring us to the kingdom of God. Paul and Barnabas suffer \u201cviolent abuse\u201d today for proclaiming the word of the Lord.\xa0 But from it comes their turn to the Gentiles, who delight in joy at this call to the kingdom.\xa0 And these disciples themselves \u201cwere filled with joy and the Holy Spirit,\u201d despite being expelled from the territory to which they\u2019d come.\xa0 All is joy in the Lord! In our second reading, John depicts all the saints who \u201cstand before God\u2019s throne and worship Him day and night in His temple.\u201d\xa0 Here they are utterly protected from harm, the harm that afflicted them while on earth.\xa0 No trials exist anymore in this everlasting shelter, for the Lord has \u201cwipe[d] away every tear from their eyes.\u201d\xa0 These tears, too, are water which cleanses the soul, which makes us robed in white before the Lord. And Jesus assures us, to our great exultation, that \u201cno one can take [us] out of the Father\u2019s hand,\u201d or His own.\xa0 He and the Father are one, and no greater power is there under or above the sun.\xa0 Though threats of robbery besiege our souls as we travel through this world, let us make the Lord\u2019s assurance our own, and have faith that nothing will remove us from His arms. Our psalmist exalts in the joy that should reflect the song in all our souls: \u201cSing joyfully to the Lord, all you lands; serve the Lord with gladness; come before Him with joyful song.\u201d\xa0 So let us search our hearts to find that joy within us and overflowing from us.\xa0 Let me ask you, brother, sister, did John see you present in his \u201cvision of a great multitude, which no one could count, from every nation, race, people, and tongue\u201d?\xa0 Is the life-giving water of the Lamb washing you clean for that day?\xa0 Then joy should be yours even where you stand, for even now you stand with Him. Written, read & chanted, and produced by James Kurt. Music: "Everyone's a Baby, Everyone's a Child" from All One, sixth album of Songs for Children of Light, by James Kurt. ******* O LORD, let us follow your Son to the kingdom where He reigns over all. YHWH, souls from every nation stand before your throne in white robes, for your Son is a light even to the Gentiles; even to these do His apostles speak your Word.\xa0 Even these are called to eternal life by the Messiah. Day and night we shall worship in your holy Temple, O LORD, protected by the Lamb at the center of the throne in your heavenly kingdom.\xa0 What John has seen shall soon come to pass for all those who wash their robes in Jesus\u2019 blood.\xa0 Every faithful soul is welcomed into His arms, is led into your pasture.\xa0 And this flock you tend untiringly, your Spirit upon all your children of light. And why should we care if we should suffer for your sake and the sake of your Name?\xa0 This persecution but brings joy to your blessed disciples, for in it they share in the sacrifice of your Son and so in the eternal joy of Heaven.\xa0 O LORD, hold us always in your Hand!