November 13, 2024 at 10:33 a.m.
Hope is breaking in
It can seem as if the world is breaking apart right in front of our eyes. Wars, terrorism, violence, social issues, the ongoing clergy sexual abuse crisis and its effect on the Church as well as the political discord in our nation. We also see in our communities and on our streets, the opioid drug abuse problem and crumbing schools, the disintegration of the family and an overall lack of respect for human life, from the unborn to the elderly, poor, marginalized and vulnerable of our society and culture.
“Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.” — Mark 13:31
No wonder a person can become overwhelmed by the problems of our times. It can be more than a human body can stand. There is reason however for us to rejoice, yes, I said rejoice! The reason for rejoicing is not because our world seems to be breaking apart; it is because hope is breaking in. Hope in the intervention of our God. The Kingdom of God is our hope and promise: “And then they will see the Son of Man coming in the clouds with great power and glory, and then he will send out the angels and gather his elect from the four winds, from the end of the earth to the end of the sky” (Mark 13:24-32).
Hope is breaking in because our God has broken into human history. Our God, in the person of our Lord Jesus Christ, has made himself manifest through the incarnation. Our Lord Jesus Christ continually offers us his help and protection from the evil one and the chaos and destruction that the evil one has brought about. God’s protection is given to us through the aid of the angels and saints, such as St. Michael the Archangel. We are protected from the wars and pestilence we see in the world today by so great an archangel, “At that time there shall arise Michael, the great prince, guardian of your people” (Daniel 12:1-3).
The Lord our God offers us help and protection in his angels and with so great a choir of angels, dominions and principalities watching over us, how can we not feel safe? But we must ask for protective help in our prayers by calling upon all the angels, archangels and guardian angels, as well as that great cloud of witnesses, the saints, to intercede for us and to protect us with their prayers and presence in our lives. This is not simply an expression of sentimentality. This is the truth of the Scriptures for which we are called to pray daily. We can call for this help and protection in such ways as praying the prayer to St. Michael the Archangel or the St. Jude the Apostle Novena Prayer, or countless other prayers to the saints for their intercession.
There is hope and joy that comes from such faith: “the wise shall shine brightly like the splendor of the firmament and those who lead the many to justice shall be like the stars forever” (Daniel 12:3). Fear and anxiety do not have to govern our lives, we can be free from such worries if we accept God’s help. To accept such help, means we are readying ourselves for the coming of the Lord in the fullness of his glory. So, when we are overwhelmed by a world that continually seems as if it is breaking apart, let us listen to the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, which offer us comfort and protection: “Learn a lesson from the fig tree. When its branch becomes tender and sprouts leaves, you know that summer is near. In the same way, when you see these things happening, know that he is near, at the gates” (Mark 13:28-29).
When we feel overwhelmed and alone in the world, let us remember that Jesus Christ, our great high priest, offers us continual sacrifice in the great Eucharistic banquet in heaven. “This one offered one sacrifice for sins and took his seat forever at the right hand of God” (Hebrews 10:13). We are reminded that the Holy Eucharist unites us with this one perfect sacrifice: “For by one offering he has made perfect forever those who are being consecrated” (Hebrews 10:14).
The effect that is experienced by those who are being consecrated can be heard in the psalm we proclaim on the Thirty-Third Sunday in Ordinary Time: “You will show me the path of life, fullness of joy in your presence, the delights at your right hand forever” (16:11).
Our Lord Jesus Christ continually breaks into human history and affects our lives through his presence and the continual offering of himself in the Holy Eucharist. Our joining in the Eucharistic banquet on earth prepares us for the eternal Eucharistic banquet in heaven. Let us then stand up and see that our salvation is at hand.
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