Word to the Wise
Friday, November 29, 2024 - Friday in the 34th Week in Ordinary Time
[Rev 20:1-4, 11-21:2 and Luke 21:29-33]Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth. The former heaven and the former earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. I also saw the holy city, a new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. [Revelation] Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away. [Luke]
The Book of Proverbs is often quoted in saying, "Without a vision, the people lose restraint"! (29:18) The visions of the "end of things" represent a desire for deliverance from persecution and a Messiah who will return. We are challenged always to read "the signs of the times" and understand that the "kingdom of God" is not just a future thing but a present reality that depends in part on our efforts to bring it about every day. It is not a political kingdom but one of love, justice and peace. These are well within our power to do but not without God's help. The horrors of war and conflict that prevent collective responses to terrible natural tragedies - tropical storms, earthquakes, tsunamis, famines (which are in large part the result of climate changes caused by human greed) - are ever a reminder to us of "man's inhumanity to man and the fruit of the forbidden tree" (Paradise Lost).
The liturgical year ends this weekend and the story of deliverance begins once more to be told. The drama of apocalyptic language will give way to prophetic promise and fulfillment in a small village in Palestine. Dare we to hope that we can do our part to make the kingdom known? AMEN