A: Solemnity of All Saints (1 Nov 2020) - WE ARE THE LAMBS (Rev 7:2-4, 9-14)

The First Reading in our liturgy today is taken from the book of Revelation where we read about the adoration and exaltation of the Lamb by “a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, robed in white, with palm branches in their hands” (Rev 7:9). We understand why this reading is chosen today, for it is the occasion of the Solemnity of All Saints that is celebrated every November 1. Accordingly, the lamb (“arnion” in Greek), which is connotative of the Christ, is publicly glorified before “all the angels … the elders and the four living creatures” (v. 11). What is significant in this event is: Lamb is indeed an image of glory.

Aside from this inference of glorification, there are two other functions of this Greek word “arnion” in the Bible. One is its sacrificial role that we read in Jer 11:9: “But I, like an innocent lamb led to be slaughtered, did not know.” For Jeremiah, the lamb can refer to the concept of being killed and sacrificed for the common good (cf. Jer 24:45). The book of Revelation hinted also at this very idea of the killing of the lamb as seen in the angels’ celestial singing: “Worthy is the Lamb that was slaughtered …” (Rev 5:12); and the notion of sacrifice after the defeat of the ancient serpent in the exaltation: “But they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of the testimony” (Rev 12:11). Lamb is indeed an image of suffering.

Another usage of “arnion” in the Bible is its depiction as being part of the sheepfold that needs to be tended by the shepherd. In the last chapter of the Gospel of John, we encounter Jesus’ commissioning of Peter with the words: “Feed my lambs” (Jn 21:15). This mandate depicts that lambs are feeble animals that need the guidance, care, and protection of a trustworthy shepherd, otherwise they can be separated from the flock and be lost in the wilderness. This connection of the lamb and shepherd is emphasized, too, in the book of Revelation in the words: “for the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd, and he will guide them to springs of water of life” (Rev 7:17). Even if the lamb and the shepherd are unified here in alluding to the Christ, emphasized in the text is the shepherd’s task of guiding and nourishing his sheepfold amidst life’s perilous journey. Lamb is indeed an image of journey.

In sum, we can say that “arnion” is clearly portrayed in the Bible as images of glory, suffering, and journey. Interestingly, these three ideas are in sync with the so-called three states of the Church in our Catechism, viz., Church Triumphant, Church Suffering, and Church Militant, respectively. The first consists of the glorious saints in heaven, whose admirable virtues we now commemorate in the Solemnity of All Saints. The second comprises the suffering souls in purgatory who are in deep longing of being allowed entrance to heaven one day. The third refers to all of humanity who are still struggling on earth amidst the rule of darkness, sin, and wickedness in their common pursuit of joining the ranks of the saints in heaven.

In the same way as the image of the Lamb is united in the Scriptures, these three states should be in communion with each other, particularly by the constant exchange of intercessory prayers of protection and deliverance. May we continue to be lambs to each other through prayers.

- Rex Fortes, CM