Word to the Wise
Saturday, November 29, 2008 - Saturday in the Thirty-fourth Week in Ordinary Time
[Revelation 22:1-7 and Luke 21:34-36]They will look upon his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. Night will be no more, nor will they need light from lamp or sun, for the Lord God shall give them light, and they shall reign forever and ever.
Throughout the Book of Revelation there seems to be a contrast between the rule and dominion of earthly kingdoms and the rule and dominion of God's kingdom. The community to whom the book is addressed had experienced persecution from earthly kingdoms, especially from Roman authorities, and would be subject to further trials and tribulations. Thus, the book seeks to encourage the community to stand fast. The rule of God will be one of enjoying the presence of God and sharing in God's rule. The image of the garden refers to the original garden where humanity fell because it sought to make itself equal to God. In the new paradise, a renewed people of God will share in God's rule but will not be subjected to the test that was the downfall of Adam and Eve. All of this may seem a bit mystical to us in our time. Unquestionably, the Book of Revelation offers comfort to those who feel religiously beleaguered, especially those of a more fundamentalist orientation. To others, the dense symbolism is impenetrable and leads to a kind of dismissal of this book as "irrelevant." Apocalyptic literature (the book was once called The Apocalypse) seems like ancient science fiction! We musn't forget that the bible is a collection of many forms of literature, all of which the Christian community has recognized as communicating to us that truth which God considers necessary for our faith and salvation. The Book of Revelation requires effort to read and understand it properly. Superficial numerology and theatrical interpretation of it can be as bad as ignoring it altogether. The closing words of today's passage prepare us for Advent: "Behold I am coming soon. Blessed is the one who keeps the prophetic message of this book!" AMEN
config
view
logs
3840.0 KB
68 ms
4
