acts 15; Psalm 67 O God, let all the nations praise you; Rev 21:10-14, 22-23; Jn 14:23-29
This past week I was visiting with a young couple and their family in getting ready for their upcoming wedding. We were talking about all the necessary things to get the wedding off the ground: readings, music, musicians, flowers and all that jazz.
In the midst of the conversation, the young lady, bride to be, asked this question: Why the Catholic Church? She wanted to know why she should choose to stay in the Catholic church, why should she raise her children Catholic, why should she attend Mass on Sunday as oppose to fellowship service somewhere else.
she wanted me to pitch a sale for the Catholic church. The question is a good question. How would we answer that question?
Why the Catholic Church? We look out into the world, there are 26,000 christian denominations and they all think they are right. they all believe they have the authority to teach us and guide us on how to get from here to there. Which one do we follow? Why the Catholic Church?
Hold on to this for a moment.
**********************************
THe other day I was visiting mom and dad and the family. When we get together as a family, being one of ten, there are a lot of us around. My nephews and niece are all over the place. Inevitably, my nephews will get together and start playing. During their play time, pushing and shoving usually occurs over a particular toy or game. One of them has it, and the other wants it.
Eventually, crying begins and they coming running from whatever room they were in, in search of their mothers. They will grab their mother's legs and try to climb in to their laps. They want their mothers to finish the fight for them, to take their sides, make it all better.
My sisters, will console their children, but eventually, they set them on the ground and tell them to go to their cousin and say they are sorry.
My little nephews with tears clinging to their little cheeks, will sulk over to one another, give each other a hug, say they are sorry and then everything is fine. THey will go back into the room to play again until the next episode.
every time I witness this event unfolding I am reminded of my youth. My brothers and I or my sisters and I would often get into arguments. Their was one thing that was certain no matter what the argument or fight or dispute. We always knew one thing. No matter what, Mom was going to win.
It was guaranteed. Mothers outside of everything else they do knew out settle disputes. Regardless, Mom always won.
************
As we turn to Acts 15 we encounter a dispute in the Church. There was some internal arguments about morals.
There were some teachers who were upsetting the minds and hearts of new converts by their teaching. They were teaching, though they were not given the mandate to do so.
The dispute was between the traditionalist and the liberals. The jewish Christians wanted to make sure to maintain the Jewish customs: circumcision and dietary laws as necessary for the faith. The gentile converts were not sure about those practices.
The question arose, who was right and what needed to be done in order to follow Christ fully. What was the fullness of the faith?
The Church got together, apostles and elders of the church (leaders) and they met to figure it out. We have the council of Jerusalem. After some discussion and arguments about what was what necessary to live the faith fully, follow Christ fully, the CHurch came to a decision: "It is the decision of the Holy Spirit and of us."
The HOly Spirit is active through the leaders of the church. The church settles the dispute.
Then representative with proper credentials were sent out to deliver the message about what was necessary to follow Christ fully.
The CHurch has done this 21 time sin 2000 years, gathered in councils to settle disputes.
Council of Nicea 325, the church settled the dispute over the divinity of Jesus. EVery SUnday when we say the creed we profess that decision.
Council of Ephesus 431 and council of Chalcedon 451 clarified that not only was JEsus divine but he is fully human. Mary was the mother of God. This is important. Jesus could not redeem what he did not become. Being fully human and fully divine he could redeem all of humanity.
Council of trent in 16th century arose to deal with the teachings of Luther and the protestants. Was there teachings valid. Did they have authorization to teach. Vatican II in the 1960's arose to deal with modernity and how to live our faith given the modern technologies being developed. How does the church truly become global? just to name a few.
TIme and time again the Church, bishops, successors of the Apostles and leaders, got together inspired by the Holy SPirit and sought to guide us in ways of truth in faith and morals, proclaiming the fullness of the faith for all.
As St. Paul tells us in 1 Timothy 3:15, "the church of the living God, is the pillar and bulwark of the truth."
It is the church that God has given us to guide us and settle disputes. We are not left alone to figure it out nor are we asked to decipher the teaching on our own.
There are many so called teachers who seek to guide and lead, but we must asked do they have the proper credentials. Are they teaching what the church teaches? The prosperity gospel sounds good, but is it sound, that is the most important question.
Why the Catholic Church? Because she is our mother. I would not leave her like I would not leave my own mom. I may not like what she says or how she settles disputes but God has given her to us to guide and lead and allowed His Spirit to guide her in guiding us.
Mom knows how settle disputes and in the end we the children are the ones that benefit most of all.
Happy Mother's day!
Sunday, May 9, 2010
Saturday, May 8, 2010
Mary continued II
As we turn the corner of spring and head on this straightaway we call the month of May that leads us right into the heart of Summer, the Church ask us once again to direct our gaze toward the Blessed Mother.
Especially this weekend as we honor Mothers every where, why not pause to honor the Mother of Jesus, Our mother.
As my little nephew says so beautifully when he spies a picture of the Holy Lady, "Mamma Mary." In deed, out of the mouth of babes wisdom and truth shall be heard.
When we think about life for a moment, often times people suspect out loud that life is fundamentally about that one shining moment, that one moment that will define our life, those 15 seconds of fame that often allude us.
We spend a life time looking for that one moment that will set us free, that one moment that will make us who we were meant to be. We spend a life time only to discover the moment must have past us by.
But Life isn't fundamentally about that one shining moment.
Rather, every life is about a series of moments that are defined by the choices we make.
Any fool can have a great moment. But greatness is about making every moment count. Here in we shall come face to face with true greatness.
When we look at Mary, what we find so fascinating is that her life wasn't defined by one shining moment. The Annunciation, the encounter with the angel, did not define her life but it was one moment in a series of moments.
Mary's life is not about saying "yes" in that one solitary moment in time, but rather her true greatness is that she said "yes" every moment, with every step she took. Whether it was before the angel's invitation, or Elizabeth's concern, or the wedding guest at Cana or through out the ministry of Jesus, Mary's heart remained open to God's plan.
From the crib where the child Jesus was wrapped in swaddling clothes until the cross where he was striped naked and unashamed, Mary's was there with a "yes" for each moment.
True Greatness is seen in the face of Blessed Mother whose life was a series of moments defined by the choice she made in time, a simply "yes" would do.
As we honor Mary Most Holy, the Church invites us to learn to recognize true greatness and to never be satisfied with the counterfeit version offered by the world. The Church also invites us to say "yes" one moment at a time and let true greatness shine through our lives.
As we celebrate mother's day, if we look hard enough we may discover in our mother's eyes, a little greatness as well. Like Mary, they too said "yes" time and time and time again.
Especially this weekend as we honor Mothers every where, why not pause to honor the Mother of Jesus, Our mother.
As my little nephew says so beautifully when he spies a picture of the Holy Lady, "Mamma Mary." In deed, out of the mouth of babes wisdom and truth shall be heard.
When we think about life for a moment, often times people suspect out loud that life is fundamentally about that one shining moment, that one moment that will define our life, those 15 seconds of fame that often allude us.
We spend a life time looking for that one moment that will set us free, that one moment that will make us who we were meant to be. We spend a life time only to discover the moment must have past us by.
But Life isn't fundamentally about that one shining moment.
Rather, every life is about a series of moments that are defined by the choices we make.
Any fool can have a great moment. But greatness is about making every moment count. Here in we shall come face to face with true greatness.
When we look at Mary, what we find so fascinating is that her life wasn't defined by one shining moment. The Annunciation, the encounter with the angel, did not define her life but it was one moment in a series of moments.
Mary's life is not about saying "yes" in that one solitary moment in time, but rather her true greatness is that she said "yes" every moment, with every step she took. Whether it was before the angel's invitation, or Elizabeth's concern, or the wedding guest at Cana or through out the ministry of Jesus, Mary's heart remained open to God's plan.
From the crib where the child Jesus was wrapped in swaddling clothes until the cross where he was striped naked and unashamed, Mary's was there with a "yes" for each moment.
True Greatness is seen in the face of Blessed Mother whose life was a series of moments defined by the choice she made in time, a simply "yes" would do.
As we honor Mary Most Holy, the Church invites us to learn to recognize true greatness and to never be satisfied with the counterfeit version offered by the world. The Church also invites us to say "yes" one moment at a time and let true greatness shine through our lives.
As we celebrate mother's day, if we look hard enough we may discover in our mother's eyes, a little greatness as well. Like Mary, they too said "yes" time and time and time again.
Friday, May 7, 2010
a little piece of eternity
Acts 15:22-32; Psalm 57 I will give you thanks among the peoples, O Lord; John15:12-17
Tennessee Williams, an american playwright, in his work, A Streetcar Named Desire, writes the following about New Orleans, "Don't you just love those long rainy afternoons in New Orleans, where and hour isn't just an hour-but a little piece of eternity dropped into your hands- and who knows what to do with it?"
A little piece of Eternity dropped into your hands-and who knows what to do with it.
I like this description. Isn't this what Jesus offers us in the gospel today when he calls us friends, "a little piece of eternity dropped into our hands."
The question is, "what will we do with it?"
The gospel is a beautiful exhortation by Jesus to all of us. His words are very elegant and inviting. In the gospel we hear the words we all long to hear: love and friend. Jesus tells us no one has greater love than to lay down his life for his friends. What beautiful words.
We all long to hear words of love and friendship.
But Jesus includes other words we often miss. He mentions "commandment" and "bear fruit." But the the word that is probably most often over looked and yet the most essential in the conversation with Jesus is one of the smallest words.
"You are my friends if you do what I command you." There it is, that simple yet powerful word "if."
Love is unconditional but yet conditions remain. It is the condition that invites us to experience the unconditional embrace of divine friendship.
"If you do what I command."
Perhaps we should sit with this for awhile. Let it roll around in our mind and heart. Unconditional love that begins with a condition. This is how we know it is true love after all. It has to begin somewhere.
The condition set by the "if" is really the starting line for love and friendship.
Not only is it the starting line it is also the measuring stick. The "if" phrase helps us judge whether or not we have been true friends. IT lets us know where we stand. This is what true friendship is all about: where to start and where to stand.
a little piece of eternity dropped into your hands-and what will you do with it.
Tennessee Williams, an american playwright, in his work, A Streetcar Named Desire, writes the following about New Orleans, "Don't you just love those long rainy afternoons in New Orleans, where and hour isn't just an hour-but a little piece of eternity dropped into your hands- and who knows what to do with it?"
A little piece of Eternity dropped into your hands-and who knows what to do with it.
I like this description. Isn't this what Jesus offers us in the gospel today when he calls us friends, "a little piece of eternity dropped into our hands."
The question is, "what will we do with it?"
The gospel is a beautiful exhortation by Jesus to all of us. His words are very elegant and inviting. In the gospel we hear the words we all long to hear: love and friend. Jesus tells us no one has greater love than to lay down his life for his friends. What beautiful words.
We all long to hear words of love and friendship.
But Jesus includes other words we often miss. He mentions "commandment" and "bear fruit." But the the word that is probably most often over looked and yet the most essential in the conversation with Jesus is one of the smallest words.
"You are my friends if you do what I command you." There it is, that simple yet powerful word "if."
Love is unconditional but yet conditions remain. It is the condition that invites us to experience the unconditional embrace of divine friendship.
"If you do what I command."
Perhaps we should sit with this for awhile. Let it roll around in our mind and heart. Unconditional love that begins with a condition. This is how we know it is true love after all. It has to begin somewhere.
The condition set by the "if" is really the starting line for love and friendship.
Not only is it the starting line it is also the measuring stick. The "if" phrase helps us judge whether or not we have been true friends. IT lets us know where we stand. This is what true friendship is all about: where to start and where to stand.
a little piece of eternity dropped into your hands-and what will you do with it.
Thursday, May 6, 2010
after much debate
acts 15:7-21; Psalm 96 Proclaim God's marvelous deeds to all the nations; John 15:9-11
The first readings begins today with these words, "after much debate."
The early church is caught in a heated debate about what is the proper way to handle pagan converts, non Jewish people who have begun to follow Christ.
There is much "debate" between the apostles and elders as to what is to be done in welcoming these new followers into the fold. Should they or should they not be required to be circumcised? SHould they or should be required to obey the same dietary laws?
Peter stands up and from his mouth issues forth the "debate" stopper. Peter clinches the argument with these words, "we believe that we are saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, in the same way as they."
From the early church on, until today, Peter and his successors have been insisting on this truth, "we are saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus."
It isn't by works, it isn't by faith but simply by grace. Salvation is a gift that comes to us. Faith is our response in receiving this gift. Works are the results of our faith being authenticated and genuine. ANd we need Faith and works to authenticate the reception of this grace that has been freely bestowed in Christ.
Everything else naturally flows from that supernatural gift of grace.
We must simply open and receive.
Is there anything else to argue about? Is there need for further debate? Sure, absolutely.
We must continue to debate but we must never lose sight of Grace.
Link to Saints worth the read click here
The first readings begins today with these words, "after much debate."
The early church is caught in a heated debate about what is the proper way to handle pagan converts, non Jewish people who have begun to follow Christ.
There is much "debate" between the apostles and elders as to what is to be done in welcoming these new followers into the fold. Should they or should they not be required to be circumcised? SHould they or should be required to obey the same dietary laws?
Peter stands up and from his mouth issues forth the "debate" stopper. Peter clinches the argument with these words, "we believe that we are saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, in the same way as they."
From the early church on, until today, Peter and his successors have been insisting on this truth, "we are saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus."
It isn't by works, it isn't by faith but simply by grace. Salvation is a gift that comes to us. Faith is our response in receiving this gift. Works are the results of our faith being authenticated and genuine. ANd we need Faith and works to authenticate the reception of this grace that has been freely bestowed in Christ.
Everything else naturally flows from that supernatural gift of grace.
We must simply open and receive.
Is there anything else to argue about? Is there need for further debate? Sure, absolutely.
We must continue to debate but we must never lose sight of Grace.
Link to Saints worth the read click here
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
Shroud of turin: in heart of death beats life
acts 15:1-6; psalm 122 Let us go rejoicing into the house of the Lord; Jn 15:1-8
The psalmist invites us to go rejoicing into the house of God. Here are a few words from Pope Benedict as he makes his pilgrimage to Turin, Italy to pray at the Shroud.
"The Shroud recalls to our mind the reality of Holy Saturday. It is a witness to that interval in history in which God, in Jesus, shared our dying.
In the kingdom of death resounds the voice of God. Love penetrates this extreme darkness and extends his hand to lead us through.
Human beings lives by the fact he is loved and can love; if love has penetrated into the realm of death, the life has also arrived there. In the hour of death, we can never be alone.
In the heart of death now beats life in as much as love lives there.
The Shroud is an icon written in blood. Every trace of blood speaks of love and life. It is like a spring that speaks in silence; we can hear it; we can listen to it."
Because of Holy Saturday and Easter Sunday we can truly go to the house of the Lord rejoicing, for we do not go alone. In the valley death, with your rod and staff you give me courage, with your hand you lead me to pastures of repose.
Jesus tells us in the gospel, "Remain in me and I will remain in you." The Shroud reminds us the truth of these words that Jesus indeed remains even in death.
Link to news interest on the Shroud: click here
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
Mary most holy
As we enter into the month of May, the Church ask us to increase our devotion to the Blessed Mother, the mother of Jesus, the mother of the Church and our mother.
The Church reminds us of the pivotal role Mary's life in action was for the work of redemption in Jesus Christ for all.
Mary's yes to God, her abiding trust in him, continues to be a radiant light for all who seek the path of faith, love and hope. Her example is always shining like a bright star in the night sky guiding us on the voyage of faith to our homeland that awaits.
We thank God for her gift of faith. We thank God for her willingness to be led. We thank God for her yes that brought Jesus into our world. Mary was asked to intercede for mankind in bearing Jesus in her womb into the world. As queen mother she continues to intercede for us, seeking to bring us that grace of redemption that comes in Christ.
We thank God and we honor her as we place the crown of flowers upon her, may it be a symbol of the place of honor we hold in our heart for her as well.
Here are a few words from Pope Benedict:
Mary, more than any other, contemplated the face of God in the human face of Jesus. She saw him as a newborn in swaddling clothes. She was there when he said his first words and make his first steps. She was there when he learned about life and love; she was there when he learned about sorrow and disappointment; she was there every step of the way. She was there when he discovered joy, when he discovered pain. She was there when, as St. Pal says, he learned obedience by what he suffered.
She was there seeing the lines of hurt, pain, and agony in the crucifixion; she was there when his lips were silent as on his face she beheld the peace of death. She was there when death gave way to life and on his face shone glory. She was there.
"Mary's heart carried the mystery of the face of Christ, the mystery of death and glory. In Mary, we learn how to look upon the face of Jesus with the gaze of love and faith, and thus we recognize in the human countenance of Jesus, the countenance of God."
Mary pray for us as we honor you on earth may we honor you in our heart and lives and thus welcome the grace of your son in whom we see the face of man, the face of God himself, "He who sees me sees the Father."
Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches us the following:
"The Church's devotion to the Blessed Virgin is intrinsic to Christian worship. (997)
Sunday, May 2, 2010
road to glory
acts 14:21-27; Psalm 145 I will praise your name for ever, my king and my God; Rev 21:1-5; John 13:31-35
I am part of a book club here in town. We get together once a month and discuss a particular book we were going to read for that month. We read all kinds of books: fiction, nonfiction, memoirs, biographies, historical fiction and the list goes on.
We read the book, discuss the book, and then we vote on the book. We decided whether it was good literature or not. Was the author effective in getting the story across? Was it worth reading? Would we recommend it?
This past Monday we got together and we were to discuss two books. We did not meet in March due to Holy Week.
When I arrived, everyone was excited about the last book we were supposed to have read. They were eager and excited. I, however, had not finished the book. I informed of this fact and told them they could go ahead and discuss it anyway.
But they refused. They told me that if i knew how it ended, then it would ruin the book. Their thinking was that somehow the suspense of the book, the unknown ending, would keep be engaged. IF I knew the end then they thought I would stop reading and lose interest.
This is the case a lot of times. The suspense of the book or the movie engages us and captivates us. It keeps us reading, keeps us moving and following the plot and character developments along the way.
But here is another question: does knowing the ending really ruin the story?
I have read plenty of books when after i get to the end I go back and reread the story. What I have discovered is that the end actually enhances the story. Knowing the end doesn't ruin the story but makes it more engaging. The characters are more alive and the plot is more meaningful. Knowing the ending helps me pick up on the things I missed the first time around.
Knowing the end actually, I would say, enhances the story not ruins it.
This of course brings me to the second reading from the book of revelation.
As we read from the book of revelation we should note that we are reading from the last chapter of the last book of the bible.
We all know the beginning of the bible. Those famous words echo from ages past, "in the beginning..." We also know that the bible is comprised of many different kinds of books with different writing styles. When you read the bible you encounter drama, mystery, suspense, adventure, sex, murder, scandal, rape, pillage, conflict, battles won and battles lost. We encounter history, science, prophecy, poetry, hymns, letters, homilies and the list goes on.
What we often forget, however, is despite the many books and variety of writing styles the book is about one story. It is a love story, God's love for us. How God time and time again comes to rescues us, comes to undo what we did, and guide us on the way. God intervenes so that we might know what way to go to encounter the best of life.
It is one story and today John in the book of revelation tells us how it all ends. HE tells us the climax, how it will resolve itself this story we are all a part.
The question is, does John ruin the story by telling us the end. Does John eliminate the suspense, and thus cause us to lose interest.
The answer is no.
IT is not the character of love to keep the suspense up or to keep the beloved guessing. since the bible is a love story, it must follow the rules of love. Love demands certainty. Love seeks to eliminate suspense and guesswork though mystery always remains.
think about marriage for a second. How many husbands would marry their wives or wives would marry their husbands if before the vows the husband or wife would say that they were unsure if they could be faithful. What if they said they were not sure about tomorrow whether they would stay or leave. In most cases the bride or groom would get the boot.
Love demands certainty. And when couples say I do to each other they know how it will end: love and honor in good time and bad, sickness and health, til death do us part.
It is the certainty of the end that enables couples to truly be free to love each day anew. The end makes all the difference to the present moment.
Such it is in love with one another and love of God for us and vice verse. Keeping the end in mind makes all the difference and keeps us engaged in the present moment, fully participating in the story we are invited in through faith.
What is the end that John speaks of in today's second reading?
First John speaks of a "new heaven and a new earth."
God has a place in store for us. There will be a place of belonging for those who live a life of faith. That place of belonging, a new heaven and new earth is a transformation of the old order. God does not abandon the work of his hands. In the end creation doesn't get the boot but it gets an upgrade.
So it will be with our bodies. We will not be floating weightless ghost like beings, but we will have a glorified body and a new earth to reside.
Then John tell us the "sea will be no more."
This is fascinating. I don't swim so i am glad i won't have to worry about drowning in heaven. But the "sea" does not refer t water as we know it but is pointing to the book of genesis. In the beginning before God spoke light into being the world was a formless, chaotic watery wasteland. In the bible, the "sea" refers to death, destruction, violence and disorder.
When John speaks of the "sea no more' he is saying this new place will be a place of order: place for everything and everything in its place. There will be no destruction, death, or violence. There will be no "tears, weeping, pain, wailing, death or mourning." We won't have to worry about what will come next or hope for something better to arrive. We will be in the fullness of God, God will dwell in the human race." This is the beatific vision.
Thirdly, John speaks of a 'holy city." Many people ask me if heaven will be boring. They ask if we will simply be playing on a harp all eternity. But what John describes is a "holy city." Think about cities, houston, san antonio, Dallas and the like. Cities are a place where diversity comes alive. A city is a place where all the human powers are engaged and active.
This new heaven and new earth will be where Man if fully human and fully alive for the very first time, It will be holy, a place of no sin, no betrayal, no disappointment. A place where communication is with ease and goodness flourishes like wild fire.
Glory of God is man alive and this is what the end will be for those who are faithful
We must keep the end in mind for it will make all the difference. It will keep us engaged in life and fully immersed in the story no matter the obstacles or sufferings we encounter. The end makes it all worth while.
The road to glory is keeping the end in mind. He doesn't ruin the story but enhances our life.
Think about Paul in the first reading for today. We find him and Barnabas moving on to another city after making disciples in "that town" Acts 14:21.
But what we should read is what comes before in Acts 14:18-20. Here we see that Paul as he preaches is stoned and left for dead, drugged out of the town. ANd what does paul do? He simply gets up and goes back into the town and preaches more.
Paul doesn't quit, he doesn't hold a pity party or speak of his sad story. He brushes himself off and gets back to living the life of faith. He doesn't let the suffering and challenges defeat his mission and his life of faith.
Paul keeps the end in mind and it makes all the difference. HE runs the race on the road to glory and doesn't let the circumstances distract him.
Keeping the end in mind makes all the difference for all who believe. It empowers us to engage the struggle of faith in life and love and it enhances all we are as we move down that road to glory: Glory of God is man alive.
I am part of a book club here in town. We get together once a month and discuss a particular book we were going to read for that month. We read all kinds of books: fiction, nonfiction, memoirs, biographies, historical fiction and the list goes on.
We read the book, discuss the book, and then we vote on the book. We decided whether it was good literature or not. Was the author effective in getting the story across? Was it worth reading? Would we recommend it?
This past Monday we got together and we were to discuss two books. We did not meet in March due to Holy Week.
When I arrived, everyone was excited about the last book we were supposed to have read. They were eager and excited. I, however, had not finished the book. I informed of this fact and told them they could go ahead and discuss it anyway.
But they refused. They told me that if i knew how it ended, then it would ruin the book. Their thinking was that somehow the suspense of the book, the unknown ending, would keep be engaged. IF I knew the end then they thought I would stop reading and lose interest.
This is the case a lot of times. The suspense of the book or the movie engages us and captivates us. It keeps us reading, keeps us moving and following the plot and character developments along the way.
But here is another question: does knowing the ending really ruin the story?
I have read plenty of books when after i get to the end I go back and reread the story. What I have discovered is that the end actually enhances the story. Knowing the end doesn't ruin the story but makes it more engaging. The characters are more alive and the plot is more meaningful. Knowing the ending helps me pick up on the things I missed the first time around.
Knowing the end actually, I would say, enhances the story not ruins it.
This of course brings me to the second reading from the book of revelation.
As we read from the book of revelation we should note that we are reading from the last chapter of the last book of the bible.
We all know the beginning of the bible. Those famous words echo from ages past, "in the beginning..." We also know that the bible is comprised of many different kinds of books with different writing styles. When you read the bible you encounter drama, mystery, suspense, adventure, sex, murder, scandal, rape, pillage, conflict, battles won and battles lost. We encounter history, science, prophecy, poetry, hymns, letters, homilies and the list goes on.
What we often forget, however, is despite the many books and variety of writing styles the book is about one story. It is a love story, God's love for us. How God time and time again comes to rescues us, comes to undo what we did, and guide us on the way. God intervenes so that we might know what way to go to encounter the best of life.
It is one story and today John in the book of revelation tells us how it all ends. HE tells us the climax, how it will resolve itself this story we are all a part.
The question is, does John ruin the story by telling us the end. Does John eliminate the suspense, and thus cause us to lose interest.
The answer is no.
IT is not the character of love to keep the suspense up or to keep the beloved guessing. since the bible is a love story, it must follow the rules of love. Love demands certainty. Love seeks to eliminate suspense and guesswork though mystery always remains.
think about marriage for a second. How many husbands would marry their wives or wives would marry their husbands if before the vows the husband or wife would say that they were unsure if they could be faithful. What if they said they were not sure about tomorrow whether they would stay or leave. In most cases the bride or groom would get the boot.
Love demands certainty. And when couples say I do to each other they know how it will end: love and honor in good time and bad, sickness and health, til death do us part.
It is the certainty of the end that enables couples to truly be free to love each day anew. The end makes all the difference to the present moment.
Such it is in love with one another and love of God for us and vice verse. Keeping the end in mind makes all the difference and keeps us engaged in the present moment, fully participating in the story we are invited in through faith.
What is the end that John speaks of in today's second reading?
First John speaks of a "new heaven and a new earth."
God has a place in store for us. There will be a place of belonging for those who live a life of faith. That place of belonging, a new heaven and new earth is a transformation of the old order. God does not abandon the work of his hands. In the end creation doesn't get the boot but it gets an upgrade.
So it will be with our bodies. We will not be floating weightless ghost like beings, but we will have a glorified body and a new earth to reside.
Then John tell us the "sea will be no more."
This is fascinating. I don't swim so i am glad i won't have to worry about drowning in heaven. But the "sea" does not refer t water as we know it but is pointing to the book of genesis. In the beginning before God spoke light into being the world was a formless, chaotic watery wasteland. In the bible, the "sea" refers to death, destruction, violence and disorder.
When John speaks of the "sea no more' he is saying this new place will be a place of order: place for everything and everything in its place. There will be no destruction, death, or violence. There will be no "tears, weeping, pain, wailing, death or mourning." We won't have to worry about what will come next or hope for something better to arrive. We will be in the fullness of God, God will dwell in the human race." This is the beatific vision.
Thirdly, John speaks of a 'holy city." Many people ask me if heaven will be boring. They ask if we will simply be playing on a harp all eternity. But what John describes is a "holy city." Think about cities, houston, san antonio, Dallas and the like. Cities are a place where diversity comes alive. A city is a place where all the human powers are engaged and active.
This new heaven and new earth will be where Man if fully human and fully alive for the very first time, It will be holy, a place of no sin, no betrayal, no disappointment. A place where communication is with ease and goodness flourishes like wild fire.
Glory of God is man alive and this is what the end will be for those who are faithful
We must keep the end in mind for it will make all the difference. It will keep us engaged in life and fully immersed in the story no matter the obstacles or sufferings we encounter. The end makes it all worth while.
The road to glory is keeping the end in mind. He doesn't ruin the story but enhances our life.
Think about Paul in the first reading for today. We find him and Barnabas moving on to another city after making disciples in "that town" Acts 14:21.
But what we should read is what comes before in Acts 14:18-20. Here we see that Paul as he preaches is stoned and left for dead, drugged out of the town. ANd what does paul do? He simply gets up and goes back into the town and preaches more.
Paul doesn't quit, he doesn't hold a pity party or speak of his sad story. He brushes himself off and gets back to living the life of faith. He doesn't let the suffering and challenges defeat his mission and his life of faith.
Paul keeps the end in mind and it makes all the difference. HE runs the race on the road to glory and doesn't let the circumstances distract him.
Keeping the end in mind makes all the difference for all who believe. It empowers us to engage the struggle of faith in life and love and it enhances all we are as we move down that road to glory: Glory of God is man alive.
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