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As we near the end of the liturgical year, we find many of our readings from Revelations and addressing final judgment. Even our New Testament readings have focused on the end of time, as we know it and our need to be prepared. The readings for today follow that pattern with the responsorial psalm offering some solace as we affirm the presence of God with us. I struggled in writing this reflection – my own fears and discomforts with Revelations presenting a very real barrier to listening to the Word and being a conduit in my reflection. Reading these passages intensified my own negative feelings of the last few months related to the problems facing our country and the world at large. As a child, I never wanted to believe the existence of evil and wanted to bask in the comfort and goodness of God, but, of course, in reality there are both. When I was finally able to open my heart to listen to God (after whining to anyone who would listen that this was hard to write!), I was able to see this in a different perspective. Once I moved beyond my “Chicken Little” mentality that “the sky was falling,” I could see that although we are hearing about the “end,” we also hear about the new beginning. I had the luxury of listening to the Online Retreat during this time of turmoil for me and heard the message loud and clear of how much God loves us. It truly was a light at the end of the tunnel and got me to stop focusing on my fears. The first reading, indeed, brings some fearful images. Now, I was able to see all of the positive images there as well: the souls who came to life and reigned with Christ, the judgment according to deeds (no need for fear if we follow Christ in our words and deeds), new heaven and earth, a holy city. For when I focus on the new beginning rather than the end, my heart is filled with hope and joy – the despair fading into the shadow. I am loved! During the 70s, there was a line of jewelry that used the phrase “I am loved” to promote its product. I remember the little button in red and white with those words. Yet, they were referring to mere human love, powerful, of course, but dwarfed by the love from God. In a similar way, the responsorial psalm echoes this love –
“Here God lives among his people.” The mantra
of the response provides such comfort – reminding us that
we are not alone. Our prayers are our comfort as we open our hearts
and lives to God. There is a beautiful song on the Morning Light
CD by the St Louis Jesuits that this psalm brings to mind.
The refrain is: Luke tells us in the gospel that we must be aware of the signs to know the Kingdom of God is near. As we recall the other parables, it is essential that we are prepared. When I think about spring and the buds ready to burst, I know that I am frequently surprised on that specific day. I am aware that the buds are close but I am never sure, when it will happen. We are in the same situation and if we wait until we see definitive signs, it will be too late. As a recent gospel tells us, we must invest our talents. Expand that which God gives us to do well – to help others – to make a difference in this world. For when that judgment day is at hand that is not the time to ponder how we should have lived our lives. When the “buds burst open,” we must be ready and willingly embrace our God – to truly bask in that love. |