They have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb (Johnny Hart)

   It is relatively rare for a comic strip -- especially a mainstream American comic -- to address profound theological questions. Johnny Hart (1931-2007), the cartoonist who created B.C., was a noteworthy exception. Some years ago, he drew a comic strip that speaks to the meaning of one of the most puzzling passages in the Book of Revelation, a passage we hear this weekend at Mass:

These are the ones who have survived the time of great distress; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb (Revelation 7:14).

Hart's comic strip (see below) offers a visual representation of the understanding that it is only by passing through death to resurrection with Christ, that is, it is only by joining our lives to that of the Lamb of sacrifice, that we can be purified through a death like his and embrace the salvation he offers; it is only by following him to the Cross and beyond that we can be shepherded from grief to joy and gain eternal life.

This post is based on Fr. Pat's Scripture class.
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