Soaring numbers of cases of coronavirus, conflicts, and so many other problems, should we wonder if this is the end of the world? In the presentation (available here) by scripture scholar, Sister Anna Marie McGuan, RSM, the question of the end times is explored through Scripture and the Church’s reflection on that theme. It is not a new question for Catholics to ask. We can read from Saint Cyprian, already in the third century, talking about the same things, so much so that his treatise could be taken and read from a pulpit today:
“For he who wars for God, dearest brethren, ought to acknowledge himself as one who, placed in the heavenly camp, already hopes for divine things, so that we may have no trembling at the storms and whirlwinds of the world, and no disturbance, since the Lord had foretold that these would come. With the exhortation of His fore-seeing word, instructing, and teaching, and preparing, and strengthening the people of His Church for all endurance of things to come, He predicted and said that wars, and famines, and earthquakes, and pestilences would arise in each place; and lest an unexpected and new dread of mischiefs should shake us, He previously warned us that adversity would increase more and more in the last times. Behold, the very things occur which were spoken; and since those occur which were foretold before, whatever things were promised will also follow; as the Lord Himself promises, saying, But when you see all these things come to pass, know that the kingdom of God is at hand. (Luke 21:31)
The kingdom of God, beloved brethren, is beginning to be at hand; the reward of life, and the rejoicing of eternal salvation, and the perpetual gladness and possession lately lost of paradise, are now coming, with the passing away of the world; already heavenly things are taking the place of earthly, and great things of small, and eternal things of things that fade away. What room is there here for anxiety and solicitude? Who, in the midst of these things, is trembling and sad, except he who is without hope and faith? For it is for him to fear death who is not willing to go to Christ. It is for him to be unwilling to go to Christ who does not believe that he is about to reign with Christ.”[i]
Taking the sacred word, Sister Anna Marie powerfully leads us through the signs of the times and the effects of the darkening mind that come from the loss of the use of reason and the abasement of our humanity. Sister ties together something that we have read from Saint Bernard about the three comings of Christ, in which in the third coming, He comes now in spirit and in power, always present with us.
As we prepare for the celebration of the Incarnation in time and look forward to the ultimate culmination of the world and the end of history, let us never forget that Jesus is with us, totally and completely, feeding us along the way. This is an exhortation to draw near to the His presence that we may be changed by Him. For those who are baptized and in the state of grace, there is no greater intimacy, no greater means of conversion possible in this life than union with Christ in the Holy Eucharist.
Listen to the Podcast
by Sister Anna Marie McGuan, RSM:
Christ’s “delay” in His final coming is one of patience so that we may come to repentance.[ii] It is a message of love; draw near to the source of life before it is too late. We are to draw near him while he is still near.[iii] “ Behold I stand at the door and knock”—this is the door of our hearts—”…to him who hears and opens, I will come into him and sup with him and he with me.”[iv]
R.E.M. “It’s the End of the World as We Know It (and I Feel Fine),” released on August 31, 1987, Track 6 on on side 1, Document, I.R.S. Records.
[i] Saint Cyprian. “Treatise 7 (Cyprian of Carthage).” CHURCH FATHERS. New Advent. Accessed December 1, 2020. https://www.newadvent.org/fathers/050707.htm.
[ii] 2 Pet 3:9
[iii] Is 55:6
[iv] Rev 3:20
