Approaching Renewal

Photo by Gilbert

Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband; and I heard a great voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling of God is with men. He will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself will be with them; he will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning nor crying nor pain any more, for the former things have passed away.”

A vacation can open one's mind to the possibilities. Fleeting encounters with helpful strangers on a bus, conversations with table servers at a favourite cafe or with a fellow traveller who invites you into sharing a picnic table at the beach, a disgruntled cashier at a convenience store who grunts the cost of groceries but smiles in appreciation when offered a kind remark, a neighbouring passenger on a flight who narrates the bad and the good of her home community for love of her neighbours. These are but a few of the experiences wherein or through which can be received the subtle voice of God.

And he who sat upon the throne said, “Behold, I make all things new.” Also he said, “Write this, for these words are trustworthy and true.” And he said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give water without price from the fountain of the water of life. He who conquers shall have this heritage, and I will be his God and he shall be my son. But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the polluted, as for murderers, fornicators, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their lot shall be in the lake that burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.”

Utopians, i.e., they who cast themselves as the saviours of their societies and who claim to defend us against the meanies, are, sooner or later, in for a very big surprise. If a devastating political loss doesn't shift them out of their twisted mores, then the last sentence above from the Book of Revelation should. Barring an awakening to reality, they will persist in their attempts to live against God's will and will contribute to a loss of souls, starting with their own.

The Sacred Liturgy opens us up to the greatest renewal - our renewal in Christ. Jesus invites us into an eternal communion of love, joy, peace and completion or fulfillment. God completed the beginning of salvation in Jesus hung upon the cross (St John 19:28-30). In the Mass, we enter into the divine embrace, into the salvation God offers through Jesus Christ Who took upon Himself our sins. We are present to eternity in the Mass, the beginning of forever, eternal life, for us temporal beings. The window into eternity that the Mass provides is God's gift to entice us into an ever expanding relationship.

Eternity, in the context of Catholic teaching, is understood as the life of God and the ultimate destiny of human beings. It is not merely an endless continuation of time but a profound state of existence that transcends temporal limitations. The concept of eternity is intricately linked to the Incarnation of Christ, who embodies the union of divine and human life. Through Jesus, believers are invited to share in this eternal life, which is characterized by a perfect communion with God.

Pope John Paul II emphasizes that the entry of eternity into time through the Incarnation signifies that human life is called to journey from temporal existence to eternal fulfillment. This journey is marked by a loving obedience to the Father, as exemplified by Jesus' own life on earth, where he lived in constant communion with God and fulfilled the divine will (John 16:28) 1,2.

Pope Benedict XVI further elaborates on this theme by affirming that eternal life encompasses the entirety of human existence, including all experiences of suffering, love, hope, and joy. He reassures that nothing precious in this life will be lost; rather, it will find its fullness in God. The promise of eternal life is not a vague afterlife but a complete realization of life as intended by God, where creation itself will be liberated from decay (Romans 8:21) 3.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church articulates that the vocation to eternal life is a supernatural gift from God, surpassing human understanding and will. This eternal life is not just a future hope but begins to manifest in the present, as believers experience a foretaste of this reality through their relationship with Christ 4.

Eternity in Catholic teaching is a dynamic and relational concept, inviting individuals to participate in the divine life of God, which is fully realized in the person of Jesus Christ and extends into the fullness of life beyond death [Magisterium AI].

References

1. The Incarnation, the entry of eternity into time. https://www.vatican.va/jubilee_2000/magazine/documents/ju_mag_01101998_p-14_en.html
2. 15 August 2010: Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary - Mass at the Parish of Saint Thomas of Villanova in Castel Gandolfo
3. General Audience of 10 December 1997 3
4. CCC 1998

God calls all to renewal, to wake up to the reality of sin in our lives, to turn away from those preoccupations or habits and choices that weaken us and possibly kill the divine life in us. Ask God for mercy, for His help to turn away from sin toward His love and truth. All who seek life and love are in need of divine assistance to overcome the world, the flesh and the devil.

The concept of "the world, the flesh, and the devil" represents the three primary sources of temptation and sin according to Catholic teaching. Each of these elements plays a significant role in the spiritual struggles faced by individuals.

The World: This refers to the societal influences and values that can lead individuals away from God. The Catholic Encyclopedia emphasizes that the world is filled with evils, and while the weakness of human hearts contributes to sin, the organized and directed efforts of evil spirits amplify these challenges. The world can become a place where true brotherhood is compromised, as individuals prioritize their own interests over the common good, leading to moral confusion and conflict 1,2.

The Flesh: This aspect pertains to human nature and its inherent weaknesses. The Catechism of the Council of Trent notes that even those who have received God's grace still struggle against their own passions and desires. The tendency to sin is deeply rooted in human nature, which was affected by original sin. The flesh is described as a source of ongoing conflict, where individuals must constantly battle their own inclinations 3,4.

The Devil: The devil is recognized as a real and formidable adversary in the spiritual life. The Baltimore Catechism identifies the devil as a primary source of temptation, alongside the world and the flesh. The presence of evil spirits is seen as a significant threat, as they actively seek to lead individuals away from God and into sin. The Apostle Paul’s exhortation to "put on the armor of God" highlights the necessity of spiritual vigilance against these malevolent forces 5,6.

The interplay of the world, the flesh, and the devil creates a complex environment of temptation and moral struggle. Each element contributes to the challenges faced by individuals striving for holiness, necessitating reliance on God's grace and the support of the Church to navigate these trials effectively [Magisterium AI].

References

1. A Catechism of Christian Doctrine (The Baltimore Catechism No. 3) 22
2. Catholic Encyclopedia, Devil
3. Catechism of the Council of Trent, The Lord's Prayer - The Third Petition: "Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven"
4. Gaudete et exsultate 162
5. Gaudium et Spes 37
6. Catechism of the Council of Trent, The Lord's Prayer - The Sixth Petition: "And lead us not into temptation"

A crisis can provoke awareness. In our distress, we might realize how empty or incomplete our lives are, or we might travel the road of an addiction that wearies us to the point of surrender and helps us admit to a need for a liberator. Or, we might receive an insight that awakens in us an acknowledgement of the majesty of creation, of the sublime order in the midst of complexity that immerses us in a serene and transfiguring awe and wonder that the saints identify as a moment in which the creature yearns for and knows his Creator.

Hope ignites when we respond to Jesus speaking to our hearts and minds. God's avenue of approach is custom tailored to the individual. Pray to be open to God's transforming truth and love.