Monday of the Thirty-third Week in Ordinary Time

Today's Mass Readings

The Book of Revelation is our point of entry into the scriptures this week. This mystical volume speaks volumes of God’s ways to us. How do we interpret it? How can we approach it? The first thing to say about Revelation, and the Bible in general, is that it is not to be taken entirely literally. We take the historical events in the Old Testament and the events surrounding Jesus’ life in the Gospels as true. Not every part of the Bible can be taken in a literal context. The Bible isn’t like one of those apps you buy for an iPhone that claims to tell you future events based on your personality and life habits. The Bible carries with it certain messages that we have to approach with different lenses. The Book of Revelation offers us beautiful symbolism that offers insight into the Heavenly mystery.

Revelation begins with a call to heed its message and to be ready for the “appointed time is near.” We are called to live with a sense of vigilance. If we don’t, we can easily fall from grace. The Lord recognizes our “endurance” and “labor,” yet holds it against us if we lose the love we started with. If we are not vigilant in our lives, we fall off the Christian way. “Realize how far you have fallen.” We lose our spiritual sight and must have it restored, just as Jesus healed the blind man on the road to Jericho in today’s Gospel. He was willing to cry out to Jesus to be healed.

So, the question we need to ask ourselves is simple. Are we vigilant? Are we willing to ask Jesus ardently to heal our spiritual blindness?

Reflection by Br. Matthew Marie, OSB