Memorial of St. Cecilia, virgin & martyr
Our readings today speak of the end times. This topic is not always an easy one to meditate on, and we may find ourselves avoiding it altogether. We live in a world that, at times, may look a lot like the end times described by Christ in today’s Gospel. Nations rising against nations, natural disasters, famines, or even worldwide illnesses consuming the lives of so many. The Church ends our liturgical year with these readings not to scare us but to remind us of the kingship and power of Christ, and to prepare us for the season of Advent, a season when we not only await the coming of Christ at Christmas but also when we prepare ourselves spiritually for the second coming.
A line from today’s first reading reminded me of a few lines from John’s gospel. “I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me, you can do nothing. If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire, and burned.” There is a strong parallel between this excerpt from John’s gospel and our reading from Revelation. The grapes that are thrown into the winepress were not grapes on the vine of God but were rather grapes attached to the branches of our secular world. Christ calls us to something greater than the world can offer us. He calls us to himself. If we remain attached to the vine that is Christ, we should not grimace at the thought of the end times but rather stand with eyes raised to the sky awaiting the awesome sights and mighty signs to come.
Reflection by Nicholas, seminarian
Posted in Articles for Ordinary Time, Daily Reflections