"Behold, I Make All Things New"
SourceURL:file://localhost/Volumes/Message Active/12:2014 DECEMBER/12:12:14/USED/p05 - ZOE - The season of Advent is a time of preparation and hope for all people.docx
Advent is a time of spiritual preparation and hope for all people. To fully participate in the life of the Church during any season of the year, we need to understand the teachings and practices. There is so much to learn and the process is an ongoing journey every day of our life. Perfect Christmas gifts that will benefit your family for years to come are a Catholic Catechism and a New American Bible – for the purpose of learning together.
Have you ever heard someone mention the three states of the Church? The Catholic Catechism describes the “Church triumphant” as heaven, the Kingdom of God, where the glory of God will have prevailed over all the failings in human history. Sin will have been transformed and there will be no more suffering for all those who have reached the fullness of Christ.
The “Church militant” is the Church on earth, working to overcome the imperfect and sinful nature of human life. The Church's mission is not to be against the world, but to transform it by preaching of the Gospel, and by the power of the good works of those who are baptized into Christ. The strength of the Church is the saintly example of those who have chosen the Christian way of life. Christ is counting on us!
The “Church suffering” is the Church in purgatory where those who have reached the gates of death without fullness in Christ are cleansed with an ongoing baptism by the power of the Holy Spirit. Purgatory involves leaving the old self behind and taking on the new – a place where all relationships are purified, as we realize the power of divine praise.
The Sacred Scriptures remind us to be diligent in our search for truth. The last book of the bible is The Revelation to John. The author, who calls himself John, had been exiled to a Roman penal colony because of his Christian faith. Although he never claims to be the Apostle John, author of the fourth gospel, he was so identified by early Church Fathers. There is prediction of disaster revealed to John in Revelations, which is described through an angel sent by God, because of His wrath for sin.
This apocalyptic literature, enjoyed in both Jewish and Christian circles from 200 B.C. to A.D. 200, may be difficult for us to understand because of the symbolism and dramatic descriptions. The Revelations account of the visions is borrowed from the Old Testament, and the symbolic images are not to be taken literally. The Book of Revelations was written in a time of crisis, and the message is timeless. In the face of insurmountable evil, all Christians are called to trust in the promises of Jesus.
No matter what adversity or suffering we may endure, it will, in the end, triumph over Satan and evil forces because of our devotion to Christ. This is the persistent message throughout the Book of Revelations for those who hope and believe. “Blessed is the one who reads aloud and blessed are those who listen to this prophetic message and heed what is written in it, for the appointed time is near.” – Rev. 1: 3. The appointed time when Jesus will return in glory!
“And He who sits on the throne said, ‘Behold, I am making all things new.’ And He said, ‘Write, for these words are faithful and true.’” – Rev. 21:5 Christ, who makes all things new as the old passes away, gave us this freedom from conflict and a new heart. Take time to reflect on the birth of Christ the Savior … He was born for you! Amen!
