St. John’s objective is “… is to unveil, from the death and resurrection of Christ, the meaning of human history.”  (Zenit 08-23-2006, “The Wounded Lamb Conquers”)

The book of Revelation or Apocalypse gave our language the words: apocalyptic and apocalypse, which inappropriately evoke the idea of an impending catastrophe!  “… the great prophecy of this book [is] The Dragon does not conquer.” (Ibid.)

As our days grow darker it is important to remember that the light of Jesus conquers the darkness!  In Rev. 22:20 we find one of our central prayers, “Come, Lord Jesus!”  In Aramaic it is “Marantha!”  This prayer is, also, found in Paul’s letter to the Corinthians (16:22).  “Come, Lod Jesus!” as does the entire Book of Revelation points to the definitive victory of the Lord.

When Angel Gabriel greeted Mary, he said, “Hail, Mary full of grace!  The Lord is with you.”  St. Luke tells us that Mary was “greatly troubled” by that greeting.

She pondered what sort of greeting this was!

Imagine receiving a mysterious greeting from God via an angel, and then an equally mysterious message about conceiving a son by the power of the Holy Spirit!  A message like would trouble any unmarried virgin, especially in Palestine at the time of Mary and Joseph!

Mary with her doubts & fears TRUSTED in God and Joseph with his doubts and fears TRUSTED in God.

As Advent draws to a close, we should look carefully and honestly at our response to God’s call, make sure our prayer and sacrifice match. 

Do we pray every day?  “May it be done to me according to your Word!”

May God Be Blessed!