The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today invite us to ponder the images of the Final Judgement prior to the vision of the New Heaven and the New Earth to increase our awareness of the signs on our journey of truth, love, and compassion.
The reading from the Book of Revelation presents a vision of the “Thousand Years” before the Dead are judged and the New Heaven and the New Earth are realized.
* [20:1–6] Like the other numerical values in this book, the thousand years are not to be taken literally; they symbolize the long period of time between the chaining up of Satan (a symbol for Christ’s resurrection-victory over death and the forces of evil) and the end of the world. During this time God’s people share in the glorious reign of God that is present to them by virtue of their baptismal victory over death and sin; cf. Rom 6:1–8; Jn 5:24–25; 16:33; 1 Jn 3:14; Eph 2:1.
* [20:11–15] A description of the final judgment. After the intermediate reign of Christ, all the dead are raised and judged, thus inaugurating the new age.
(Revelation, CHAPTER 20 | USCCB, n.d.)* [21:1–22:5] A description of God’s eternal kingdom in heaven under the symbols of a new heaven and a new earth; cf. Is 65:17–25; 66:22; Mt 19:28.
* [21:1] Sea,no more: because as home of the dragon it was doomed to disappear; cf. Jb 7:12.
* [21:2] New Jerusalem,bride: symbol of the church (Gal 4:26); see note on Rev 19:7 (Revelation, CHAPTER 21 | USCCB, n.d.)
Psalm 84 praises the Joy of Worship in the Temple.
* [Psalm 84] Israelites celebrated three pilgrimage feasts in Jerusalem annually. The Psalm expresses the sentiments of the pilgrims eager to enjoy the divine presence. (Psalms, PSALM 84|USCCB, n.d.)
The Gospel of Luke presents the Lesson of the Fig Tree.
Mirielle Mason brought these quotes together to say that when faced with biblical apocalypse or “unprecedented times” Christ is the hope we can cling to. This is especially pertinent as we approach Advent, where we will prepare for the birth of Jesus Christ and all the hope that He represents for the world.
This state of mind is easier on paper than it is in practice. I can tell myself to follow Christ’s example and to believe in the hope He represents. It is simple to say that I will lay my anxiety at His feet, but oh how difficult it is in practice. Every day I fight to pray and place my trust in God and His word. I know there are those who find this easy, and to them I say I am happy for their good fortune. To me, this is something I must work for every day. In closing, I would like to pray for all those who feel like Frodo in the above quote. That we may remain steadfast in the fight to lay our troubles at the feet of our Lord, and do our best each and every day to embody the hope Christ represents and let it be shown in our world. (Mason, n.d.)
Don Schwager quotes “My words will not pass away,” by an anonymous early author from the early Greek fathers.
"'This generation' refers both to those who suffer temptation and to those who cause it. It refers to sinners among men and to the demons who are at work in them. For neither group will cease being in the world until its consummation. For Christ said, 'Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels' (Matthew 25:41). Moreover, it is necessary that the source of temptation be preserved as long as there is faith which needs testing. It is also possible, however, that 'this generation' refers to those mortal Christians who would not pass over into eternal life and be made immortal and impassible 'until' all the events about which Christ was speaking had taken place.
"'Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away' because heaven and earth were created to serve you, but my words were uttered to govern you. Both heaven and earth are subject to vanity, as the apostle said, 'Creation is subject to vanity' (Romans 8:20). Truth, however, is by nature unable to deceive and can never die." (excerpt from INCOMPLETE WORK ON MATTHEW, HOMILY 49, the Greek fathers). (Schwager, n.d.)
The Word Among Us Meditation on Revelation 20:1-4, 11–21:2 comments on why Jesus died, and why he rose. It was so the ancient powers of sin and death could be destroyed and their hold over us could be dissolved forever.
Spend time in prayer today marveling that the One who conquered death itself is with you. Marvel that he has written your name in his book of life!
“Jesus, I rejoice that by your cross and resurrection, you have raised me to new, eternal life!” (Meditation on Revelation 20:1-4, 11–21:2, n.d.)
Friar Jude Winkler comments on the visions of Revelation as Satan is definitely defeated after the symbolic “1000 years” after Jesus Resurrection. The understanding of “rapture” by some is contrasted with Friar Jude’s explanation. Friar Jude reminds us to be aware of the signs of our invitation to convert prior to our “End Time”.
Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, considers how Jesus’ parables reveal the realm of God. Fr. Richard can think of many contemporary examples of how people have risked security to share lives and seek God’s realm: prayer groups, peace and justice ministries, social agencies and shelters, communities of contemplation and action. Living in this sacred dimension may be spiritual, but it’s also very real, and it’s very attractive when we discover it.
In the seventh parable, (Chapter 13 of Matthew’s Gospel) Jesus reiterates the idea that the realm of God has little to do with the ego-based expectations of our culture or religion (13:47–50). No church, community, or individual is perfect. We humans are always turning away from the realm of God and then undergoing a new conversion to return. To turn toward the kingdom, we must turn away from our smaller selves. To say, “Thy kingdom come,” we must say in the next breath, “My kingdom go.” [3] (Rohr, n.d.)
We reflect on the struggles that accompany our journey and take hope in the vision of the “New Heaven and the New Earth” that Christ is inviting us to celebrate.
References
Luke, CHAPTER 21| USCCB. (n.d.). USCCB Daily Bible Readings. https://bible.usccb.org/bible/luke/21?29
Mason, M. (n.d.). Daily Reflection Of Creighton University's Online Ministries. Creighton University's Online Ministries. https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/112924.html
Meditation on Revelation 20:1-4, 11–21:2. (n.d.). Word Among Us. https://wau.org/meditations/2024/11/29/1139142/
Psalms, PSALM 84|USCCB. (n.d.). USCCB Daily Bible Readings. https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/84?3
Revelation, CHAPTER 20 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved November 29, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/revelation/20
Rohr, R. (n.d.). Parables of the Kingdom of God. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved November 29, 2024, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/parables-of-the-kingdom-of-god/
Schwager, D. (n.d.). My Words Will Not Pass Away. Daily Scripture net. https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2024&date=nov29
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