The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today invite us to contemplate the grace that is associated with attention to the end times.
The reading from the Book of Revelation is a vision of angels reaping the Earth’s Harvest.
* [14:14–20] The reaping of the harvest symbolizes the gathering of the elect in the final judgment, while the reaping and treading of the grapes symbolizes the doom of the ungodly (cf. Jl 4:12–13; Is 63:1–6) that will come in Rev 19:11–21. (Revelation, CHAPTER 14, n.d.)Psalm 96 offers praise to God Who comes in Judgement.
* [Psalm 96] A hymn inviting all humanity to praise the glories of Israel’s God (Ps 96:1–3), who is the sole God (Ps 96:4–6). To the just ruler of all belongs worship (Ps 96:7–10); even inanimate creation is to offer praise (Ps 96:11–13). This Psalm has numerous verbal and thematic contacts with Is 40–55, as does Ps 98. Another version of the Psalm is 1 Chr 16:23–33. (Psalms, PSALM 96, n.d.)In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus foretells the Destruction of the Temple and foretells Signs and Persecutions.
* [21:5–36] Jesus’ eschatological discourse in Luke is inspired by Mk 13 but Luke has made some significant alterations to the words of Jesus found there. Luke maintains, though in a modified form, the belief in the early expectation of the end of the age (see Lk 21:27, 28, 31, 32, 36), but, by focusing attention throughout the gospel on the importance of the day-to-day following of Jesus and by reinterpreting the meaning of some of the signs of the end from Mk 13 he has come to terms with what seemed to the early Christian community to be a delay of the parousia. Mark, for example, described the desecration of the Jerusalem temple by the Romans (Mk 13:14) as the apocalyptic symbol (see Dn 9:27; 12:11) accompanying the end of the age and the coming of the Son of Man. Luke (Lk 21:20–24), however, removes the apocalyptic setting and separates the historical destruction of Jerusalem from the signs of the coming of the Son of Man by a period that he refers to as “the times of the Gentiles” (Lk 21:24). See also notes on Mt 24:1–36 and Mk 13:1–37. (Luke, CHAPTER 21, n.d.)Angela Maynard comments that in the midst of the awful, we are reminded that Jesus is our beloved teacher and savior. As Advent approaches and we prepare for the birth of Jesus, there is no better time than now to examine our relationship with Him.
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f we find ourselves lost in the busyness of everyday, or have misplaced our priorities, it’s time for a fresh start. Take advantage of the Advent season to prepare for a renewal of our relationship with Jesus. The birth of our savior provides a wonderful opportunity to renew our relationship with our Lord.
I plan to work diligently on preparing myself for Jesus’ birthday. There will be events at places of worship that can help with preparation. Consider this a nudge to take some time to prioritize your relationship with Jesus amidst the celebrations of the season. Take time to examine priorities. (Maynard, 2022)
Don Schwager quotes “First signs of the end times,” by Maximus of Turin (died between 408-423 AD).
"Perhaps you are anxious, brothers and sisters, at the fact that we hear constantly of the tumult of wars and the onsets of battles. Perhaps your love is still more anxious since these are taking place in our times. The reason is the closer we are to the destruction of the world, the closer we are to the kingdom of the Savior. The Lord himself says, 'In the last days nation will rise against nation and kingdom against kingdom. When you see wars, earthquakes and famines, know that the kingdom of God is at hand.'This nearness of wars shows us that Christ is near." (excerpt from SERMON 85.1) (Schwager, n.d.)The Word Among Us Meditation on Revelation 14:14-19 asks why does the Church present us with frightening images like these as the liturgical year ends? The short answer is that meditating on these “last things” can help us make better decisions today. When we’re aware that our choices have eternal consequences, we see those choices more clearly and take them more seriously. As Pope Francis once said, “Before making an important decision, . . . imagine oneself before God at the end of days” (Homily, November 4, 2019).
So today, remember the promise and hope of your eternal destiny. Those “last things” are not just sobering prospects; they are blessed opportunities. You have been made a child of God and are called to spend eternity in his presence. You have the chance to cooperate with God’s grace and choose to love and serve him each day. Then, when the “harvest” comes, you will be ready to meet him with joy.
“Jesus, I trust in your mercy and guidance as I try to follow you.” (Meditation on Revelation 14:14-19, n.d.)
Friar Jude Winkler notes that the angels in the Revelation passage direct those who may have been distracted by wine and self centered lives to the wine press of the Lord. Sin is accompanied by its own punishment of loneliness and hate. Friar Jude reminds us to be ready for our own personal end.
Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, introduces Lakota author and activist Doug Good Feather who is committed to sharing Indigenous wisdom and practices with nonnative audiences as a way to help and to heal humanity. He writes that no matter what our circumstances, gratitude is available to us.
Gratitude and generosity are similar virtues, but they differ in that gratitude is an internal characteristic and generosity is our external expression of our sense of gratitude. Basically, gratitude is how we feel, and generosity is how we express that feeling out in the world. . . .
When we engage with the world from a place of gratitude, it’s the difference between trying to make something happen and allowing something to happen. The defining difference between effort and effortlessness is the virtue of gratitude. We see the quotes and memes from the sages and gurus that talk about gratitude. But why is gratitude such a core concept of joy, contentment, and well-being in our life? The ancestors tell us there are two primary reasons. The first is that a person cannot exist in a place of fear and true gratitude at the same time. The second is that gratitude is the doorway to divine intuition, which allows us to be guided by our connection with the Creator. (Rohr, 2022)
As we approach the end of the Church year, images of harvest and completion prompt us to gratitude and reconciliation with others.
References
Luke, CHAPTER 21. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved November 22, 2022, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/luke/21?5
Maynard, A. (2022, November 21). Creighton U. Daily Reflection. Online Ministries. Retrieved November 22, 2022, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/112222.html
Meditation on Revelation 14:14-19. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved November 22, 2022, from https://wau.org/meditations/2022/11/22/541132/
Psalms, PSALM 96. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved November 22, 2022, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/96?10
Revelation, CHAPTER 14. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved November 22, 2022, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/revelation/14?14
Rohr, R. (2022, November 22). Gratitude and Generosity — Center for Action and Contemplation. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved November 22, 2022, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/gratitude-and-generosity-2022-11-22/
Schwager, D. (n.d.). Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture ... Retrieved November 22, 2022, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2022&date=nov22
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