November 20th, 2004, Wednesday of the 33rd week in ordinary time.

A reading from the Book of Revelation. I, John, had a vision of an open door to heaven,

and I heard the trumpet-like voice that had spoken to me before saying,

Come up here and I will show you what must happen afterwards.

At once I was caught up in spirit.

A throne was there in heaven and on the throne sat one whose appearance sparkled like

Jasper and Cornelian.

Around the throne was a halo as brilliant as an emerald.

Surrounding the throne, I saw 24 other thrones on which 24 elders sat,

dressed in white garments, and with gold crowns on their heads. From the throne came

flashes of lightning, rumblings, and peals of thunder.

Seven flaming torches burned in front of the throne, which are the seven spirits of God.

In front of the throne was something that resembled a sea of glass like crystal.

In the center and around the throne,

there were four living creatures covered with eyes in front and in back.

The first creature resembled a lion.

The second was like a calf.

The third had a face like that of a man, and the fourth looked like an eagle in

flight. The four living creatures, each of them with six wings, were covered with eyes inside and

out. Day and night, they do not stop exclaiming,

Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty who was and who is and who is to come.

Whenever the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to the one who sits on the throne,

...