"Will the Church survive?" This question surfaces from time to time when yet another crisis seems to call the Church's credibility in question. The question has become a very critical one in recent years in various countries where scandals have shaken the Church. However, the question is not a new one: it arose when the Roman Empire persecuted the early Christian community. The writer of the Apocalypse faced this question as he sought to console his community and strengthen them to face suffering for the name of Jesus. The source of the river of life-giving water is the throne of God and of the Lamb. The source of the life of the Church and the source of its strength for survival is Jesus, the Lamb of God, Son of God and Son of Mary. When Jesus gives us the light of wisdom to face all problems and crises, then "night shall be no more".

Jesus Himself faced the question when He promised Peter that the power of Hell would never prevail over the Church. Every difficulty faced by the Church, then, is a call to return to Jesus as the source of life and strength.