“The Days Will Come” by Melanie Rigney

“The Days Will Come” by Melanie Rigney

Memorial of Saint Andrew Dung-Lac, Priest, and Companions, Martyrs

Then another angel came out of the temple in heaven who also had a sharp sickle. Then another angel came from the altar, who was in charge of the fire, and cried out in a loud voice to the one who had the sharp sickle, “Use your sharp sickle and cut the clusters from the earth’s vines, for its grapes are ripe.” So, the angel swung his sickle over the earth and cut the earth’s vintage. He threw it into the great wine press of God’s fury. (Revelation 14:18-19)

The Lord comes to judge the earth. (Psalm 96:13b)

While some people were speaking about how the temple was adorned with costly stones and votive offerings, Jesus said, “All that you see here–the days will come when there will not be left a stone upon another stone that will not be thrown down.” (Luke 21:5-6)

Piety

Lord, I tremble at the thought of Your coming. Help me in ways large and small to live a life in harmony with You. 

Study

While I was an “away” Catholic, my husband and I toured the Vatican as part of a trip to Italy. My husband, a non-practicing Lutheran, roared with laughter to see Harley-Davidson and Harvey Keitel t-shirts for sale in the gift shop; I filled myself with what I considered righteous anger about the excessive art collection—all the way up the walls, on the ceilings. Seriously, why weren’t some of those works sold to help those in need instead of stuck in nooks and crannies where almost no one would spot them?

In a way, I was one of the people in today’s Gospel reading, focused on the outer trappings. And those outer trappings won’t matter a whit on Judgment Day. I suspect God won’t be impressed or disgusted by the “stuff” we’ve accumulated. Instead, how we’ve loved and what we’ve done to ease suffering and evangelize are what the Almighty will be considering. 

All that artwork served a purpose in its day, even if few see it today. Church commissions kept families fed. Paintings and sculptures told the story of Jesus in the centuries that few read or even had access to the printed word. Art gives hope and sustains faith. It can even inspire action. So, can we, in the Lord’s name.

As the liturgical year comes to an end, the readings remind us that we all will come to an end as well. Who do we want to be? People who focus on the Church’s peculiarities and peccadilloes—or people focus on what will be left after the costly stones, votive offerings, magnificent frescoes, and Harley-Davidson t-shirts have been thrown down? 

Action

Live for Christ today, not for the votive offerings and the costly stones.

The image credit is DEZALB from Pixabay (https://pixabay.com/photos/italy-rome-vatican-museum-ceiling-2519995/). 

 

Editor's note: In the new liturgical year (starting Sunday with Advent), reflections by Colleen O'Sullivan will appear on Tuesday.  Mel Rigney's reflections will move to Saturday.