Posted on 11/28/2024 8:39:00 AM PST by fidelis
“And then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. But when these signs begin to happen, stand erect and raise your heads because your redemption is at hand.” Luke 21:28
This passage above concludes a series of teachings by Jesus on the suffering and persecution that will come in this world. But His teachings conclude with this line above, which offers great hope in anticipation of Jesus’ return in glory. This passage speaks of the prophetic vision of Daniel (Daniel 7:13–14) that terrified Daniel when he saw it. He witnessed the great persecution to come, as well as the destruction of all evil that will accompany the return of the Son of Man.
When you think about both the final coming of Christ as well as your own future death, what comes to mind? If you were informed by an angel that tomorrow would be that day, the day that the Son of Man would return in all His splendor and glory to bring about an end to this world and to issue forth His judgment upon it, how would you react? Would you be terrified? Overjoyed? Hopeful? Confused? Perhaps a little of each of these reactions would be present. Of this time, Jesus said that “nations would be in dismay” and that “People will die of fright in anticipation of what is coming into the world.” So what is your reaction to this promised day of our Lord?
Those who “die of fright” are clearly those who will experience this day completely unprepared. Meeting the Son of Man, the Son of God, the Savior of the World and the Eternal Judge when you are completely unprepared should be frightful. Imagine, for example, that you were hosting a large dinner party and you got your days mixed up. The day arrived and you weren’t expecting anyone until the following week, but the guests started to arrive in great numbers. Imagine your anxiety and embarrassment. Such an experience would be nothing compared to being unprepared for the judgment of Christ when we stand before Him at the time of our death and then at the Final Judgment at the end of the world.
The good news is that on that day, for those who are truly prepared through a life of faith and selfless service of God’s will, they are told to “stand erect and raise your heads because your redemption is at hand.” If you do all you can to prepare for that day, then it will be a day in which you anticipate with the utmost hope and excitement. You will indeed be able to stand erect, turn your eyes to the coming Judge of All, and receive the eternal reward that He so deeply desires to bestow. But this will be your experience only if you are truly ready for that day through a life lived in complete imitation of Christ.
Reflect, today, upon that final day. Imagine every person ever created standing before the Judgment Seat of Christ. Every sin and every virtue will be made manifest on that day. The minds and hearts of all will be seen in the light as they are revealed to all by God. And those who have lived lives of fidelity will rejoice as they see God’s justice and His mercy unite as His judgments are issued forth. If this day is one that frightens you, consider the reasons why. If you do not look forward to this definitive moment in time, then perhaps you need to ponder more deeply those things you need to do so as to be fully prepared. Prepare yourself today. Do not wait. Our Lord could return at any time. Do not be caught off guard.
My eternal Judge, You promise to return to earth at a definitive moment in time to bring about the fullness of justice. May I always be prepared for that day through a life lived in union with You and Your holy will. I pray for that day to come quickly, dear Lord, and that all Your children will be ready to meet You when You come. Jesus, I trust in You.
Please keep in mind that this is a Catholic Caucus/Devotional thread for the purpose of prayerful reflection on the Sacred Scriptures and is closed to debate of any kind. Per FR policy on Religion Caucus threads, off-topic, argumentative, and abusive comments are not allowed and will be submitted to the Mods for deletion. Thanks, and God bless you.
November is the month dedicated to the Holy Souls in Purgatory
"Pray at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints.”
(Ephesians 6:18)
Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam (To the Greater Glory of God)
First Reading:
From: Revelation 18:1-2, 21-23; 19:1-3, 9a
The Fall of Babylon Proclaimed
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[1] After this I saw another angel coming down from heaven, having great authority; and the earth was made bright with his splendor. [2] And he called out with a mighty voice, "Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great! It has become a dwelling place of demons, a haunt for every foul spirit, a haunt of every foul and hateful bird.
[21] Then a mighty angel took up a stone like a great millstone and threw it into the sea, saying, "So shall Babylon the great city be thrown down with violence, and shall be found no more; [22] and the sound of harpers and minstrels, of flute players and trumpeters, shall be heard in thee no more; and a craftsman of any craft shall be found in thee no more; and the sound of the millstone shall be heard in thee" more; [23] and the light of a lamp shall shine in thee no more; and the voice of bridegroom and bride shall be heard in thee no more; for thy merchants were the great men of the earth, and all nations were deceived by thy sorcery.
Songs of Victory in Heaven
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[1] After this I heard what seemed to be the mighty voice of a great multitude in heaven, crying, "Hallelujah! Salvation and glory and power belong to our God, [2] for his judgments are true and just; he has judged the great harlot who corrupted the earth with her fornication, and he has avenged on her the blood of his servants." [3] Once more they cried, "Hallelujah! The smoke from her goes up for ever and ever." [9a] And the angel said to me, "Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb."
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Commentary:
1-3. These verses describing the downfall of Rome follow the prophetical style of foretelling a future event by reporting it as something that has already happened. First the fall of the city is proclaimed (vv. 1-3). Then the people of God are exhorted to leave the city and escape the terrible punishment soon to befall it (vv. 4-8). This is followed by the lament of the kings who were allied to Rome (vv. 9-10), of the merchants who prospered by trading with her (v. 11-17a) and of the sailors (17b-19). Finally we are shown the joy of those who suffered under her yoke and now see justice done.
In words reminiscent of Old Testament passages foretelling the destruction of hostile cities (cf. Is 13:21-22; 21:9; Jer 50:30; Ezek 43:3-5), St John describes the fate of Rome in the last days before its desolation. Among the sins which have brought about its ruin is unbridled sexual indulgence (cf. also vv. 7 and 12-14). Such behavior leads to the degradation and self-destruction of society, as witness the history of civilization and contemporary experience. Consumerism, self-indulgence and greed for possessions, clearly feature of our time, were denounced by Pius XI when he said that "the disease of the modern age, and the main source of the evils we all deplore, is that lack of reflection, that continuous and quite feverish pursuit of external things, that immoderate desire for wealth and pleasure, which gradually causes the heart to lose sight of its nobler ideals, drowning them in a sea of impermanent, earthly things, and preventing them from contemplating higher, eternal things" ("Mens Nostra", 6).
20-24. In sharp contrast with the previous lamentation is this invitation to rejoice--the reply to which comes in 19:1-8, where we are told that the elect joyfully intone songs in praise of God almighty. The throwing of the millstone into the sea is an instance of "prophetic action"; it comes from Jeremiah 51:60-64, which uses this device to prophesy the total downfall of Babylon. The millstone also appears is Luke 17:2 and par, as a symbol of disgrace and shame.
The sepulchral silence and darkness of the city are described in detail. The reason for this terrible punishment was its opulence, its idolatry and the fact that it was where the Christian martyrs were tortured and put to death. Like Jerusalem it is called "city of blood" (cf, Ezek 24:6). and just as the ancient capital of Israel was accused by Jesus of murdering the prophets and messengers of God and was told that all the blood it had spilt would come back upon it (cf. Mt 23:35), so will Rome be punished for martyring the saints.
1-4. The righteous rejoice to see their enemy overwhelmed; the praises they sing of God end in three loud "Hallelujahs". In the following passage (vv. 64), they welcome the establishment of the Kingdom of God and the imminent marriage of the Lamb.
This is the first and only time the word "Hallelujah" appears in the New Testament. It is a Hebrew term ("hallelu-yah") meaning "Praise Yahweh" used especially in the psalms (cf., e.g., Ps 111; 114; 115). The Church uses it, unchanged, usually to express to God its joy and praise at the resurrection of Christ. It is used particularly at Eastertide and also on many other days, both in the divine office and in the celebration of the Eucharist.
These shouts of praise are motivated by the salvation which comes from God and by the rightness of his judgments as evidenced by the punishment inflicted on the great harlot who is turned into a fire which burns forever.
9. On the instructions of the angel who is explaining the vision to him (cf. 17:1), St John tells Christians to count themselves blessed (v.9); God guarantees the truth of this assurance. At Mass the priest makes a similar proclamation just before distributing Holy Communion: "Happy are those who are called to his (the Lord's] supper." This shows that the Eucharist truly is "a pledge of future glory".
Gospel Reading:
From: Luke 21:20-28
Discourse on the Destruction of Jerusalem
and the End of the World (Continuation)
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(Jesus said to his disciples), [20] "But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its desolation has come near. [21] Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains, and let those who are inside the city depart, and let not those who are out in the country enter it; [22] for these are days of vengeance, to fulfill all that is written. [23] Alas for those who are with child and for those who give suck in those days! For great distress shall be upon the earth and wrath upon this people; [24] they shall be upon the earth and wrath upon this people; [24] they will fall by the edge of the sword, and be led captive among all nations; and Jerusalem will be trodden down by the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.
[25] "And there will be signs in sun and moon and stars, and upon the earth distress of nations in perplexity at the roaring of the sea and the waves, [26] men fainting with fear and foreboding of what is coming on the world; for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. [27] And then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. [28] Now when these things begin to take place, look up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.
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Commentary:
20-24. Jesus gives quite a detailed prophecy of the destruction of the Holy City. When the Christians living there saw the armies getting closer, they remembered this prophecy and fled to Transjordan (cf. Eusebius, "Ecclesiastical History," III, 5). Christ had advised them to flee as soon as possible because this is the time when God would punish Jerusalem for its sins, as the Old Testament predicted (Is 5:5-6).
Catholic tradition sees Israel as symbolizing the Church. In fact, in the Book of Revelation the Church triumphant is called the heavenly Jerusalem (cf. Rev 21:2). Therefore, by applying this passage to the Church, the sufferings the Holy City experiences can symbolize the contradictions the pilgrim Church will experience due to the sins of men, for "she herself takes her place among the creatures which groan and travail yet and await the revelation of the children of God" (Vatican II, "Lumen Gentium", 48).
24. "The times of the Gentiles" means the period in which the Gentiles, who do not belong to the Jewish people, will become members of the new people of God, the Church, until the Jews themselves are converted at the end of the world (cf. Rom 11:11-32).
25-26. Jesus refers to the dramatic changes in natural elements when the world is coming to an end. "The powers of the heavens will be shaken"; that is to say, the whole universe will tremble at the Lord's coming in power and glory.
27-28. Applying to himself the prophecy of Daniel (7:13-14), our Lord speaks of his coming in glory at the end of time. Mankind will see the power and glory of the Son of man, coming to judge the living and the dead. Christ will deliver this judgment in his human capacity. Sacred Scripture describes the solemnity of this event, when the sentence passed on each person in the particular judgment will be confirmed, and God's justice and mercy to men throughout history will shine out for all to see. "It was necessary not only that rewards should await the just and punishments the wicked, in the life to come, but that they should be awarded by a public and general judgment. Thus they will become better known and will be rendered more conspicuous to all, and a tribute of praise will be offered by all to the justice and providence of God" ("St Pius V Catechism", I, 8, 4).
This coming of the Lord is, then, a day of terror for evildoers and of joy for those who have remained faithful. The disciples should hold their heads high because their redemption is at hand. It is the day they will receive their reward. The victory won by Christ on the cross--victory over sin, over the devil and over death--will now be seen clearly, with all its implications. Therefore St Paul recommends that we be "awaiting our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ" (Tit 2:13).
"He [Christ] ascended into heaven whence he will come again to judge the living and the dead, each according to his merits. Those who have responded to the love and compassion of God will go into eternal life. Those who have refused them to the end will be consigned to the fire that is never extinguished" (Paul VI, "Creed of the People of God", 12).
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