A Novena of Meditations on Jesus, The Lion of Judah

Within two consecutive verses (5:5-6), the book of Revelation portrays Jesus as both a lion and a lamb. I have already posted a novena of meditations on gentleness, in many of which reflections the word of God holds Jesus himself before us as a model of gentleness. In the below set of passages, Jesus is portrayed as a "lion".

We cannot love whom we don't know. We don't have complete knowledge of Jesus if we only know him as a "lamb", although his being our "paschal lamb" (1 Cor 5:7) is central to the Paschal Mystery (the passion, death, and resurrection of Christ). (The two identities of "lion" and "lamb" are intimately complementary, too, and not opposed, for it is by Jesus' sacrificial offering as the Lamb of God that he displays his triumphal power in defeating Satan by the cross.) Developing a relationship with Jesus the "lion" - or, as the book of Revelation puts it, the Lion of the tribe of Judah - helps us to know the serious, or "tough guy", side of Jesus. So we come to know, and thus love, him more completely. I also think such relational knowledge of Christ helps us take our own faith and faith life more seriously.

First Day - Genesis 49:8-12

Second Day - Psalm 2 or Psalm 110

Third Day - Matthew 10:34-39

Fourth Day - Matthew 12:22-32

Fifth Day - Mark 9:42-50

Sixth Day - Luke 3:15-18

Seventh Day - Luke 20:9-18

Eighth Day - John 2:13-22

Ninth Day - Revelation 19:11-21


The Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has conquered. (Rev. 5:5)