With this Mass we journey ever closer to the end of the liturgical year. When we gather next week we will arrive at the First Sunday of Advent and the start of a new liturgical year. The liturgical year is a cycle which has a beginning and an end. Nevertheless, when it comes to its conclusion it always begins anew.
This serves as a reminder of what goes on in the world around us. In the world we have many cycles which are continusely at play. We have the seasons which go from the warmth of summer to the cold of the winter. We are moving towards death and the Final Judgement. With each of these we do not simply pop out of existence, but life continues as is illustrated in this cycle.
There are some in this world who use prophesy to predict the end of the world. These many predictions have now come and gone and yet here we remain. What remains important for us is to remember that we know not the time nor the hour. If we realize this to be true we can place our attention on what is important and thus work on getting everything in order within this life. There are so many who act as if they are oblivious to the reality of death.
Our Gospel instructs that we shall see the sign of the Son of Man in Heaven and He will send out angels to gather His elect. This imagery reminds us of the harvest where crops are cut and collected from the fields. In this manner that which is found to be good and pleasing is taken while everything else is left behind. So too with death there will be judgement. The elect will be gathered together for they have been found worthy of Heaven while the rest will be cast into Hell.
I hope that we come to place this imagery in our sight. We were created in the image and the likeness of God. God has taken on our human flesh out of love. He died upon the cross in forgiveness of our sins and sends forth the Holy Spirit to guide us in truth. Again there are many who never think of these life giving realities and thus they trudge about life chasing after false gods which will always leave them empty.
As we enter into the season of Advent next week may we keep all of this upon our mind. Fulton Sheen, who thanks be to God will be beatified on December 21st, stated that the saddest words every written were that there was no room for them in the inn. Therefore, as we enter into Advent may we come to make room in the inn of our heart for God made Flesh to come and dwell among us. If we are to do this we must cut away everything in this life which keeps us from this encounter.
