So let us confidently approach the throne of grace to receive mercy and to find grace for timely help. -Hebrews 4:16
We’re coming to the end of the Church year. Our Mass readings start pointing to the end of time, the saints in heaven, and are directed to the feast of Christ the King at the end of November. As our King, Jesus sits on a glorious throne in heaven. If you want to get an image of God on His throne in your mind, dig into the Old Testament prophets of Ezekiel 1:26-28, Daniel 7:9, and Isaiah 6:1-5. There is some really striking imagery there so go check those out! A taste: “the Ancient of Days took his throne…His throne was flames of fire, with wheels of burning fire…” (Daniel 7:9). St. John, the writer of Revelation, comes back to this image of God on His throne at the end of days, as well. See Revelation 4:1-11 for a vision of Heavenly worship.
In our second reading this Sunday (Hebrews 4:14-16), we hear about Jesus, the “great high priest” who is ruling as King in heaven, sitting on the very same glorious, fiery throne, overlaid with precious stones, and surrounded by a myriad of angels and saints. We hear something unexpected: we are invited to “approach the throne of grace” here and now to receive God’s grace and mercy. So how can we mortals approach the throne of grace, which is in heaven? We’re here on earth, right? The answer is because Jesus makes His throne present to us here and now in His Church in two crucial sacraments: Reconciliation and the Eucharist.
In the Sacrament of Reconciliation (confession), we can confidently approach the throne of God’s grace to receive His mercy and absolution for our sins. When we make a sacramental confession, we profess our sins not to a priest, but to Jesus Himself through the priest, who is acting in persona Christi, the person of Christ. In Confession we receive mercy (CCC 1422) and recover grace (CCC 1496).
In the Sacrament of the Eucharist, Jesus makes Himself present Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity. This is why we Catholics kneel during the Liturgy of the Eucharist in Mass: Jesus our King is truly present, and we must kneel in His presence. When the priest celebrating Mass raises our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament, his hands become a throne for God in the Eucharist. The priest’s own hands become a throne of grace. When we receive Jesus in the Eucharist and for those few moments while He remains with us, we ourselves become a throne for His presence. And again, during perpetual adoration while our Eucharistic Lord is exposed in the monstrance (the gold vessel displaying the Blessed Sacrament), He again is there on the throne of grace.
How blessed are we who are privileged to worship God on His throne. We should indeed come with confidence, expecting His help in the form of grace and His mercy in the form of forgiveness. Let us never be afraid to approach Him in the sacraments and praise God unceasingly in humble adoration. This week, consider making a plan for sacramental confession and taking time to adore Jesus in the Eucharist. Imagine approaching Christ the King sitting on His throne as He lovingly offers you His mercy in place of sin and grace to help you live as a Christian disciple.
Jesus, my King, I approach Your throne of grace with humility and reverence. I fully acknowledge my sinfulness and need for Your mercy. I bow before You knowing my need for your grace, casting down my crown before Your throne (cf Revelation 4:10).