Readings: Daniel 12: 1-3; Psalm 16; Hebrews 10:11-14, 18 and The Gospel of Mark 13: 24-32 available here: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/111724.cfm

Recall the fable of Chicken Little: The Sky is Falling! And a parade of gullible animals ensues, following the little chick to –well, they do not know where they are going, they just keep moving and warning whoever will listen. At last, the larger beasts, acting according to their natures, pounce! They devour the smaller mammals and go about their lives. Perhaps that was their original intent when they joined in the procession. People, like fellow mammals, take advantage of anxiety and fear in others. The way of the world. 

The prophet Daniel warns of times of great distress, and people fleeing everywhere, but not as fearmonger, but as a realist describing worldly realities. He ends his prophecy with Good News – many will ‘awake’ and “live forever and shine like stars in the firmament.”  

Scholars tell us that this was the first clear biblical reference to resurrection, judgement, and afterlife in the Bible, written down in about 167 B.C.E. reflecting the growing awareness inherent in Judaism (and many other world religions) hundreds of years prior. Further clarification arrived through the Book of Wisdom (100 B.C.E.)  for Pharisaic movement had already confirmed resurrection and eternal life as an essential tenet of faith. 

 So often people ask, “Why did the Christ chose to enter human history when he did?” Our explanation must include the longings of humanity for belief in an eternal soul for all –not just Kings and Pharoahs and mighty conquerors—was ready for the Christ to reveal, to confirm, to incarnate life, death, and resurrection as the everlasting, universal, foundational pattern of all Creation. 

We must never take for granted our belief that heaven is our ultimate goal. Jesus’ resurrection remains the cornerstone of faith, just as it was for the earliest disciples. Christianity is not just Commandments and virtuous deeds, but participation in LOVE that is ETERNAL. Nothing is wasted. Goodness grows beyond the grave. Please do not rationalize our faith in Resurrection. It is not a mere metaphor; it is not only a comforting thought. It is the foundation of the world, Creation’s ultimate purpose. 

Now, of course, DOUBT is part of a living faith. We wrestle with it continually, especially when conflicting thoughts and feelings wreak havoc within us, with others, with the world as it is. But hold on! Jesus promises to arrive in the midst of them—and arrive He does! He does not take advantage of us like some beast of prey. No. He delivers us from evil, comfort us in our distress—if we let Him, and He reminds us that, although we know NOT the ultimate day or hour, Heaven Awaits. 

The Church confirms Jesus’ presence among us in every Sacrament we celebrate. The ‘sacred is manifested’ in our churches to remind us that grace nourishes us in faith, hope, and love in every situation and circumstance. We must allow Jesus’ Eucharistic Arrival today to intensify our faith, deepen our hope, and deliver us from the turmoil of the world. We have the gifts we need to address the wrongs of the age –and yes, they are many, but Christ, the Eternal Sacrament, confirms faith in Heaven and a Communion of Saints accessible to us here, now, and always.

We need not be afraid. Emmanuel has come and will come again, again, and again. Come, Lord Jesus, today!