Bishop Barron Sunday homilies are one of my favorite podcasts. In one of his recent homilies, he discussed the Church’s emphasis on the end times as we approach the end of our liturgical year. He discussed the word, “apocalyptic,” in describing the readings at the end of the church year.
I was interested to learn how this word translates from the Greek and Latin as an “unveiling” or “revelation”; which is where the last book of the Bible receives its name from. My previous imagining of apocalyptic literature was one of destruction and chaos and the end of the world. But that image of the “tearing away the veil” from our human eyes to behold the Trinity appeals more to me.
Our earthly journey
Today’s readings, including the responsorial psalm, remind us that we are to eagerly journey towards a home prepared for the faithful where all will be unveiled “Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.”(Ps 122). But are we ready for that journey?
In the second reading of Paul’s letter to the Romans he says, “Brothers and sisters: You know the time: it is the hour now for you to awake from sleep. For our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed; the night is advanced, the day is at hand.” ( Romans 13:11)
How will we prepare?
Everyday affords us the opportunity to be ready for that day. But Advent is one of the two great periods in the church to focus more on our preparations for our day of salvation. How often do we spend hours making preparations for a get-together with friends or parties during the Christmas season? Could we take some of those hours and use them to spend more time in prayer during Advent? Could we pare down some of our holiday shopping and give more to a ministry in our church? Instead of pursuing those things which make us happy, could we look to bring some joy to others who may be ill or lonely?
Advent begins today. This liturgical season precedes the celebration of the Incarnation. More importantly, it calls to mind that great moment when our eyes will be opened to reveal God the father who created us, Christ the Son who redeems us and the Holy Spirit who sanctifies us. The gospel of Matthew exhorts us, “Therefore, stay awake…So too you also must be prepared for at an hour you do not expect the Son of Man will come.” ( Mt. 24:44) Let us all pray that during this Advent we will be ready for that hour.
