There is nothing as hard as getting bad news close to the holidays. Today in the United States we are celebrating the holiday of Thanksgiving. The daily readings, however, are all about the end times, yet the psalm is joyful and invites us to joy and thanksgiving. It seems to be a contradiction.
When I was reading both the first reading and the Gospel for today, I was reminded of a book I haven’t read in years. It is the last book in the Chronicles of Narnia series, The Last Battle, by C.S. Lewis. I don’t think I read it as a child, but I did read it as an adult, and I’m grateful for that. I’m not sure I would have liked it as a child. Spoiler: everyone dies.
The Last Battle
Throughout this last adventure in Narnia, a small group of six heroes tries to save Narnia from a large group of enemies who use lies and manipulation to set up a false “Aslan”: a false savior. It culminates in a battle that seems hopeless, and, in fact, externally, it is hopeless. Along the journey, the six and those whom they encounter continually wonder why the real Aslan doesn’t come to clear everything up and save them. The heroes try to save the manipulated members of the kingdom of Narnia, but most turn on them, and in the end, one by one, each hero is slain or thrown into a shed from which no one returns.
One would think that to be the end of the story, but it is not. The last chapters of the book are a beautiful allegory of heaven. Once the last hero sacrifices himself by pulling the enemy leader into the shed with him, he discovers himself in a place of beauty and light- his kingdom as it would be at its best. And he finds himself and his friends there, also at their best. They all discover that they are saved from the enemy in a way they could have never imagined. Their greatest danger-death-that they had fought valiantly and courageously to avoid, became their salvation.
Faith, Hope, and Love
What I enjoyed about this last book is the portrayal of the struggle of each character to hold on to their faith, hope and love. Through every trial they face, every strategy counteracted by an enemy, every logical hope being destroyed, they persevere and discover in the end that all their faith in what seemed like an absent savior, every hope of being finally saved, every friendship lost, are all restored in the end. It is not a typical fairytale ending, where everyone lives “happily ever after” in this life. The realism of death is striking. However, the portrayal of life after death is quite eloquent, and true.
Jesus said to his disciples in today’s gospel, “But when these signs begin to happen, stand erect and raise your heads because your redemption is at hand.” (Lk. 21:28) Hold on to your faith, hope and love. Our God is faithful, and we are His. As today’s responsorial psalm reminds us, “Blessed are they who are called to the wedding feast of the lamb.” (Rev. 19:9) The “wedding feast” of heaven is what we are looking toward. He calls us all to come and rejoice with Him there.
Great reflection, Nichole. I love the Narnia Chronicles and find so much insight in The Last Battle. Reading your reflection reminded me of how desperate the last battle really was, how it seemed that all hope had been lost, and that in the end, everything is restored in the experience of heaven. Thank you for drawing upon this wonderful story!