Revelation 22:12-14, 16-17, 20-21

Easter 7 - Year C

Revelation 22:12-14, 16-17, 20-21

Scripture is not always scripture. Here we have a debate between the selected and omitted verses. Which is it for you? If you want to keep both, how do you hold them together without finding yourself being omitted?

Whether a robe-washer (selected) invited to come inside or a falsehood-practicer (omitted) kept at bay, we run into Paul and Silas in a prison that became open-doored. This openness is fearful for many until they experience Paul's invitation, "Do not harm yourself (or others), for we (including you) are all here."

We are all here, "Let anyone who wishes take the water of life as a gift."

In the selected verses we hear the invitation and blessing of the Tree of Life still being available; a big door is more widely opened to include you.

In the omitted verses we hear about a share in the Tree of Life being taken away; a big door is slammed shut in your face.

This side of a New Jerusalem, do you want to spend your time affirming that a Tree of Life is still available as a prevenient grace and is attractive enough to draw its deniers nearer?

Would your rather spend your time warning people about what they will lose if they keep on the way they are going?

While they both do have their place, I hope to be spending more time with the beauty of Life as an attractant than with warning folks about something outside their experience base.