An angel showed me the river of life-giving water, sparkling like crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb down the middle of the street, on either side of the river grew the tree of life that produces fruit twelve times a year, once each month; the leaves of the trees serve as medicine for the nations. Revelation 22:1-2
Be vigilant at all times and pray that you have the strength to escape the tribulations that are imminent and to stand before the Son of Man.” Luke 21:36
Piety
“Marana tha! Come, Lord Jesus!” (Revelation 22:20) (1 Corinthians 16:22)
Study
We come full circle. The time of one year flows to a close. The time of the new year flows to an opening. Our journey on the last day of the Liturgical Year finds us back in a New Eden, a New Jerusalem. We stand on the threshold of the New Advent. We find here the symbolic river and tree of life. These are not mere symbols of the source of actual and sanctifying grace (and its healing powers) -- Jesus. From Genesis to Revelation with a stop at the prophecy of Ezekiel along the way, the promise is fulfilled:
Along each bank of the river, every kind of fruit tree will grow; their leaves will not wither, nor will their fruit fail. Every month they will bear fresh fruit because the waters of the river flow out from the sanctuary. Their fruit is used for food, and their leaves for healing.” Ezekiel 47:12
The promise of life and healing is realized through Jesus. Our Good News reveals the final exhortation that Jesus delivers in Luke’s gospel before he heads to Jerusalem for the Feast of Unleavened Bread, the Passion, and the Crucifixion and the Resurrection.
Jesus warns literally for the disciples to be aware of the events about to unfold in the short term and also in the long term.
Marana tha is an Aramaic word that means “the Lord is coming” or “come, O Lord.” Members of the early church faced persecution. Life for a Christian was not easy because the ruling Romans required everyone to declare that Caesar was a god. The early Christians knew that there is only one God and one Lord—Jesus Christ—and in all good conscience they could not call Caesar “Lord.” The Romans looked upon them as traitors, persecuted them, and put them to death.
Living under those adverse conditions, the believers’ morale was lifted by the hope of the coming of the Lord. “Marana tha!” became the common greeting of the oppressed believers, replacing the Jewish greeting shalom (“peace”). The followers of Jesus knew there would be no peace because Jesus had told them so (Matthew 10:34; Luke 12:51). But they also knew the Lord would be returning to set up His kingdom, and from that truth they drew great comfort. They were constantly reminding and being reminded that the Lord is coming (Luke 21:28; Revelation 22:12). Jesus taught several parables on this same theme of watching and waiting and being prepared for His return (Matthew 25:1-13; Luke 12:35-40).[i]
As this year ends, we get ready to get ready…the waiting of Advent awaits.
Action
Jesus lives in our lives. We live in the light of the knowledge that He can come at any time. We are to be ready when the call comes. Do we have our will ready? Are our affairs in order? Every day we should expect Him to come, and every day we should long for Him to come.
The one who gives this testimony says, “Yes, I am coming soon.” Amen! Come, Lord Jesus! (Revelation 22:20)
The spirit of “Marana tha” reminds us to keep our eyes on the eternal things of the Spirit, not the temporal promises of this world. Not Black Friday. Not Cyber Monday. To dwell on such material things is to be in denial of the spiritual requirements.
Look around at the plastic bag filled with the ads that arrive with the Sunday newspaper. Looking inside, we see earthly things. Target. Walmart. Coupons.
But looking up, we see the hope of the soon coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. To those who are discouraged today, Maranatha! To those who are worried today, Maranatha! To those who are filled with anxiety over the problems they are facing, Maranatha! Our Lord is coming! That is the hope in action that we celebrate today, and tomorrow and forever.
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