Strange and even lurid visions from the revelation to John are not rare in the weekday Mass readings. Today brings the third day in a row with a passage from this Book of Revelations: the section called Seals, Trumpets, and Plagues. The angels of the Apocalypse have brought sickles, seals, and trumpets. Now, they bear seven golden bowls, each holding a horrible plague that will be poured out to ravage the earth. For centuries, the Jewish people had great anxiety over just such predictions from the prophet Daniel and others.

John’s Revelations brought out very similar worries in early Christians. Jesus addresses the apostles’ fears. Yesterday, Our Lord talked about signs (both true and false) that signal the last days. Our reading skips the first five words of today’s verse that would make a great segue from Revelations: Before all this happens, however…” They will seize and persecute you…” Jesus the prophet warns that very soon, well before the Apocalypse, there will be great tribulation and suffering among those who spread the Good News, even hatred and betrayal from loved ones.

Almost everyone we meet knows something about Christianity two thousand years later, though it may be incomplete or misguided. But we do not encounter opposition that rises to the level of “adversaries,” “hated,” “handed over,” or “betrayal.”

Still, the large (and growing) modern indifference to Christ’s saving message is a real obstacle, as is the prevalence of “me” and “my needs first” lifestyles. Our mission: be joyful always in our faith, hope, and love and never hesitate to let these Christian hallmarks shine forth. “We are the light of the world!”

Let us pray:

Dear God, we proclaim the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come. We bless you every day for the gift of the Eucharist, which strengthens and sustains us. Amen.