Monday of the Thirty-third Week in Ordinary Time
(Revelation 1:1-4.2:1-5; Luke 18:35-43)
As the liturgical year draws to a close, the Church turns to
the Book of Revelation, the last book in the Bible. Revelation or Apocalypse literally means “lift
the veil”; that is, the veil of the future or of some mystery. The Book of Revelation was probably written during
a period of intense Roman persecution when hope was waning. It provides a vision of Christ’s, and not
human, forces bringing about victory.
Today’s reading gives the introduction of the work and the
letter dictated by the Lord to the Church of Ephesus. The message is largely positive. Although Ephesian Christians have endured
much suffering, they have maintained faith in Christ. They have one flaw, however. They have lost an enthusiastic love for
Christ. Practice of the faith may be as
much a chore for the people as it is a joy.
All the challenges related in the seven letters at the
beginning of the book have resonance today.
We can see a loss of love for Christ as Catholics skip Sunday mass to attend
a football game or because they are on vacation. If we are really in love with Christ, how
could we think of missing the best opportunity of the week to be with him?
