Psalm 102:24-28, Isaiah 42:1-25, Revelation 9:1-12 - Lectionary for 12/21/11 - Feast of St. Thomas, Apostle

Today is the Feast of St. Thomas, Apostle. Today's readings are Psalm 102:24-28, Isaiah 42:1-25, and Revelation 9:1-12. Our Psalm today observes that God's creation will perish but he will remain. Our world is wearing out. I've noticed this a lot in the past six months in the parish where I'm ministering now. Our congregation is rather elderly. Among those old people, and also among the young people, we find people who seem to be wearing out. We come face to face with our mortality. We know that we are temporary. Who lasts? it is God, the creator and sustainer of all, who lasts. He alone does not wear out. He alone does not pass away. What does this say for us? What is our hope? Our hope is that God by his grace has clothed all who believe with his immortality. This mortal being has put on immortality, and it is the immortality resident in God the Son. He has clothed us and will keep us to eternity. In Christ we no longer pass away. We may wear out in this earthly life. But Jesus Christ, the resurrection and the life, gives us true eternal life, life which will never wear out.