Friday of the Twenty-ninth Week in Ordinary Time

 

Lectionary: 477

You know how to interpret the appearance of the earth and the sky;
why do you not know how to interpret the present time?


I have been rather preoccupied with apocalyptic musing lately. Three things happened to me: a very heavy book I was reading suggested it. 

I was delighted to discover so many reassuring apocalyptic symbols in the minor basilica dedicated to Our Lady of Consolation, in Carey, Ohio. The pregnant virgin is the greatest omen after the Lord's resurrection. There are over three hundred angels represented in statues, paintings, and windows. And the Lamb who was slain appears on the frontispiece of the main altar, and in the center of the dome overhead. 

Finally, we are in the midst of an extremely intense election cycle. 

So when I read the Lord's insistence that we should read the signs of the times, I am all ears. Certainly, the election of every American president is billed as the most important election of your life! They've been saying that for years. And each time that meme is true in many ways, though I have survived more than a few. Every election is a critical moment concerning our future as one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. 

The decision not to vote expresses one's doubt in our viability as a democratic nation. When the day comes that a critical mass of voters refuses to vote, the democracy will collapse like a house of cards. The electorate must read the signs of the times and decide whether 2024 is that hour. 

Of course, there are many other signs to be read. 

• Devastating hurricanes indicate a warming planet, along with many subtler changes like the disappearance of many species, and the migrations of millions of people to cooler climates. 
• Wars are always an apocalyptic event; while they are fought to prevent certain change they cause many more. History seems to leap forward several steps during a time of war. 
• The recent pandemic fits the Biblical description of God's wrath, as when the Lord punished Israel for David's census.
• The twin plagues of suicide and physician-assisted suicide indicates a widespread malaise which cannot be explained away with "mental illness."  
• And, not least but my final listing: Innumerable Marian apparitions around the world indicate something amiss. She first appeared to Elizabeth as a joyful sign of things to come, namely the births of John the Baptist and Jesus. 

Certainly we should interpret the present time as an opportunity -- perhaps the last opportunity -- to repent of our sins and turn to the Lord. That is the consistent message of every Marian apparition. Repentance will involve both the admission of guilt and serious attempts to right the wrongs. And there we find many people actively engaging in prayer and works of mercy. If churches are not full on Sunday, daily masses are well attended by older, retired people. 

We pray that God will stay his punishing hand, that he will see our civic engagement and works of mercy, and that we can continue to worship God in peace, all the days of our life.  

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