The Church has from the beginning used the Scriptures for her public worship. The Book of Revelation testifies to this in rather an odd way. To Catholic eyes, which are familiar with the outlines of the liturgy, the book discloses a liturgical format. Although the book clearly intends to be prophetic, it also is intended to be an expression of the ever-present worship that God s creatures offer Him. That is precisely what we do in the liturgy this week at the reading of this passage.
Revelation is eminently liturgical.
In this way, on its own terms, it is best read and understood. Two specific clues to this can be found in our reading this week. First, we are told that John s vision takes place on the Lord s day, the term used to describe Sunday, the day for Christian worship and remembrance of the Lord s Resurrection. Second, the first thing that John sees are seven lamp stands of gold, which any Jew of the first century A.D. would have recognized as belonging to the furnishings in the sanctuary of the Jerusalem Temple. What follows is worship, when John falls on his face in adoration before Jesus revealed as the eternal Son of the Father.