Can we begin to realize…

⁹ After this I looked, and there was an enormous crowd—no one could count all the people! They were from every race, tribe, nation, and language, and they stood in front of the throne and of the Lamb, dressed in white robes and holding palm branches in their hands. ¹⁰ They called out in a loud voice: “Salvation comes from our God, who sits on the throne, and from the Lamb!” Revelation 7:9-10 (TEV)

It is coming up on the end of my first week in China.  Tomorrow I move on, and will get on a subway train that seems to be ½ mile long.  Then onto a bus and the next city.  But as I have travelled on these buses… the crowds seem endless – most of them tied into their smart phones, unaware of those who are around them – shocked perhaps by the big white person standing near them.

I have to wonder, how many of them will be in heaven with us?  For that matter, how many of those I see in Cerritos?  How many of people we know will be there, amongst the rejoicing growd?

At the end of my devotions… which are all crazy because of time… I came across this:

Saint Ambrose has some words that fit the children of God marvellously well! He is speaking of the ass’s colt, tethered to its dam, which Jesus needed for his triumph: “Only an order of the Lord could untie it”, he says. “It was set loose by the hands of the Apostles. To do such a deed, one needs a special way of living and a special grace. You too must be an apostle, to set free those who are captive.”

Let me comment on this text for you once more. How often, upon a word from Jesus, will we have to loosen souls from their bonds, because he needs them for his triumph! May our hands be apostles’ hands, and our actions, and our lives also. Then God will give us an apostle’s grace, too, to break the fetters of those who are enchained.  (1)

Who is God sending you to this day?  Who will He bring you together with, just so you can tell them of the hope they have in Christ? He is sending you out – to bring them home…

Such is ministry….

Escriva, Josemaria (2011-01-31). The Forge (Kindle Locations 2468-2474). Scepter Publishers. Kindle Edition.