Worthy of Praise

 LECTIO:    Revelation 7: 11-12

All the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures. They fell down on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, saying:

"Amen!
Praise and glory
and wisdom and thanks and honor
and power and strength
be to our God for ever and ever.
Amen!"

STUDIUM:

Who are the four living creatures? According to the New International Version Application Study Bible, the "four living creatures" represent the attributes of God. His attributes are symbolized in animal-like features.  Majesty and power are the animal-like appearance of the lion, faithfulness (the ox), intelligence (the man), and sovereignty (the eagle).
        According to Charles T. Chapman, Jr., The Message of the Book of Revelation, Liturgical Press, the "four living creatures" symbolize the four classes of living creatures, and also the all-seeing guardian protectors of all living creatures. 
       Lastly, in the Collegeville Bible Commentary on The Book of Revelation by Pheme Perkins, the "four living creatures" are first mentioned in Ezekiel 1: 4-20 and may have been taken from Babylonian signs of the zodiac.  The ox, Taurus, is earth, the lion, Leo, is fire, the man, Scorpio, is water, and the eagle flies in the sky or the air.  
       However, my parish church has the four evangelists surrounding every column in the nave and under their feet are the "four living creatures": the angel/man is Saint Matthew, the lion is Mark, the ox is for Saint Luke, and the eagle is Saint John.
       It seems clear that these "four living creatures" summarize all living things.  Thus, all the angels, elders and all living things are prostrating themselves to worship God.

MEDITATIO:

Beloved, how often have I stared at the columns in St. Mary's and thought of the "four living creatures" telling the Good News of Salvation. They told the stories of Jesus.  The idea that You created all things, care for all living things, especially people, is beyond comprehension.  You created us; You redeemed us from sin; and You sustain us with Your Spirit. No wonder all angels and all living things praise You. 
       I wish I had the charism of speaking in tongues so I could praise You like the angels.

ORATIO:

Glory to You, my Lord, and my God. May I praise You with every breath and thought.  Let every creature and living thing praise You.

CONTEMPLATIO:

I long to praise You, forever.

RESOLUTIO:

I will use my talents to write of My Lord and God.  Amen!