This Advent hymn, "Lo He Comes With Clouds Descending", isn't in our parish' music edition. I think is more in the Anglican tradition. The tune is "Helmsley", the lyrics are by John Cennick and Charles Wesley. It differs from most Advent hymns, in that it is more about the second coming of Christ than the first.
Jack's previous post about Advent started me down the path of this post. As he said in his comment, "...the coming of the Kingdom is very much in line with what Advent should be about, the choice of “thy Kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven."
The study of the "last things" is eschatology. The stages of eschatology "...include individual human death, particular judgment, the choices of heaven, purgatory or hell, the end of the world, the living being "taken up," the resurrection of the body, the Second Coming of Christ, general judgment, and the New Creation." (Eschatology: The Last Things (catholicapologetics.org)
The Scripture readings leading up to Advent, and during Advent, and the Creed, refer many times to the Second Coming of Jesus, and to "end times".
What are we, as Catholics and Christians, to think about eschatology? It's part of our belief, though there is nothing we can do about it. (my husband just reminded me that the term includes the past, the future, and "right now"). Most homilists will say that if we're prepared for death, our own personal end of life on planet earth, we don't have to worry about the Second Coming, that is in the hands of God. Which I believe. But I will admit to being somewhat curious about it. Part of me thinks, the world is in such bad shape, humans are so awful to one another, that now would be a good time for God to blow the whistle and call "time". But that is an older person's point of view. A younger person will think that their life has only just begun, they haven't done the things they want to do yet. And maybe they will be the ones to make things better. But in the end, we aren't the deciding ones. .
"But that is an older person's point of view."
ReplyDeleteOne of my aunts with whom I had a phone conversation every weekend during the last decade of her life (she lived to be ninety plus) was always complaining about everything was really in bad shape.
She just could not understand why Democrats choose Obama over Hilary. (She and her husband were life- long Democrats, both had served in the military). How fortunate she was not have lived long enough to experience Trump! And then Covid!
Of course, I never thought I would live to have a Pope that I really like. So, I guess the whole world is not falling apart.
If I would quit reading the news, my life is actually going okay. I just feel badly for people caught in all the wars. And the precarious political situation in which our democracy is threatened. I'm sure there has always been bad stuff going on. We just didn't know about all of it.
DeleteI guess I question the idea that the Second Coming occurs because things just keep getting worse and worse, and God just gets sick of it and blows us up. Couldn't it come about because enough of us are finally getting it right, and God is so happy that he comes back to give us a nudge over the finish line? It's also possible that the Second Coming will occur when the Sun gives out in the natural course of things, and it will have nothing to do with how bad or good humanity is at the time. We like to think that we manipulate God's actions with our behavior. But I'm not sure God necessarily operates that way.
ReplyDeleteIt's actually a comforting thought, that we can't manipulate God.
DeleteThere is no humanly discernible sense in when and how most of us die individually. We don't go because we have become too bad to live ... or too good for this world, though you hear people say things like that. It's their way of whittling God down to human size, maybe. The best any of us gets is enough time to sort ourselves out a little and to achieve resignation to the inevitable. My feeling is that the Second Coming will be like that. People will be no better or worse than they are now.
DeleteWatched a crazy movie called "The Rapture" a long while back. The end of the world was announced thusly. As a football game is in progress on TV, a trumpet appears on the screen and sounds a single, sustained beautiful tone. I thought that was pretty cool. Btw, this movie wasn't.anything like the "Left Behind" series.
DeleteWhen God will be All in All. I still see the Second Coming as the Teilhardian Omega Point. A tough vision in this time of rampant stupidity but perhaps at no time more needed. I need to remember that when Jesus judges, it's Love that judges. If anything can burn away the nonsense, it's Love (not Wuv).
ReplyDelete" If anything can burn away the nonsense, it's Love". Of course you are right, and we need to remember that. I will have to read about the Teilhardian Omega Point.
DeleteMe off topic again. Although I agree with Jean.
ReplyDeleteWe need more prayers, especially guidance from The HS about a major surgery decision for my husband. Today. It’s not essential - a colostomy- but is recommended. They want to do it now. While he’s still UCLA before going back to rehab. He’s still extremely weak and I would rather it be postponed. He’s had digestive issues that cause soiling and bed changes and I think that’s why they want it done now rather than later. Easier on the nursing staff. I want to wait, consult a gastroenterologist and see if dietary changes would help. It’s major surgery, long surgery, and it scares me. If he decides to wait he can go back to rehab tomorrow.
Betty has 30 years of working in a hospital as a medical technician.
DeleteShe doesn't think that diet is going to help.
Her experience with people who have had a colostomy is that it greatly improves the situation for the patient.
On the other hand, this is a major operation which he might not survive.
Betty said that if it she was the one who was in your husband's situation, she would have the operation done.
Has anyone asked your husband? do you think he is thinking clearly enough to understand the situation that he faces?
Betty says that we will have to pray him through this operation. She has gone to the hospital and prayed someone through this operation twice.
Please thank Betty.My husband thinks clearly.His body no longer works but his mind does. He wants the colostomy- the question is when - immediately or in a couple of months., The surgery is risky but the open wound that is too close to the soiling is also a big risk. Thanks to all for your prayers.
DeleteEight weeks straight almost in a hospital. I’m sinking again.
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry, Anne! I don't blame you for wanting them to postpone a colostomy. Yes it is very major surgery. And in an already weakened condition it might not go well.
DeleteI'll keep praying...
Prayers for Anne and husband. I am so sorry you're going through this.
ReplyDeleteI doubt that there is a clear "right or wrong" decision here, only what you think is going to make life better given the information the doctors give you. Hopefully your sons will help you think it through.
I found it helpful to get the nurses aside without the doctors around and ask them about the pro's and con's. They are usually way more knowledgeable than the doctors are about what your decision will mean in the way of recovery and care down the road.
I don't know what the Holy Spirit might say, but I'll tell you not to blame yourself whatever happens. Easier said than done, I realize.
Katherine, I remember this hymn sung a few times in the Episcopal Church. I think the Country Club Republicans that were the backbone of the Episcopal Church for so long associated an emphasis on the apocalypse with Pentecostal snake handlers, poison drinkers, tent revival, talking in tongues practices of the lower classes. The Second Coming is there in the creed and "Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come again." But when Jesus does return, it will all be very decorous, well organized, and in the utmost good taste.
ReplyDelete"But when Jesus does return, it will all be very decorous, well organized, and in the utmost good taste"
DeleteJean, LOL, yes! One video of this song which I saw is done by the Litchfield Cathedral choir (England). The pictures are serene and lovely scenes of the cathedral, and the still waters of a pond or lake. Somehow I don't think that's how the actual event will play out. Unlike my great-grandma, I'm hoping not to still be on earth when it happens!
I hope that, however it transpires, Jesus's Second Coming will not scare the bejesus out of the kids and pets.
DeleteThe kids and pets will totally enjoy it.
DeleteEmail reflections today from the Jesuits
DeleteIgnatian Reflection
Seeing a New Heaven and Earth
There is a popular series of books called “Left Behind.” The premise is that God is going to rescue – the word is ‘rapture’ - the righteous from this awful world and leave behind the unrighteous to fend for themselves among Satan and all his minions.
It has a certain appeal. Some feel the world is so messed up that they long for the day that Christ will pluck them away from all this wickedness and plant them in a peaceful corner of heaven.
It has a certain appeal, but it’s wrong. God’s plan is not to abandon the world but restore its original goodness. The redemption began with the resurrection of Jesus and will be complete with the coming of the Son of Man. It’s a mystery as to what the “new heaven and new earth” will be like. But I like to sometimes imagine all the goodness and beauty around me multiplied times two – a thought experiment you might want to try.
—Scott D. Gilfillan is a deacon in the Diocese of Charlotte and the director of the Catholic Conference Center where he leads retreats and provides spiritual direction.
Ignatian Prayer
Prayer
Lord, when we weary of the journey,
strengthen us by your Spirit
to imagine new heavens and a new earth.
May your light shine into the darkest parts of our lives
and the darkest parts of our days.
We ask that you make your presence known to us
even in those darkest of times.
Amen.
—Prayer from Sojourners blog
Anne, thanks for sharing the reflection from the Jesuits. I like the thought of God restoring the world rather than abandoning it. I was aware of the Left Behind series, but didn't read it. Figured it was based on faulty theology, if one took it seriously, not to mention depressing.
DeleteMy husbands surgery is scheduled for 5 pm pacific time. Thanks to all of you for your support and prayers
DeleteWe will keep praying!
DeleteOur prayers are for him.
DeleteGiving thanks that the surgery went well. If he recovers ok in the next 48 hours he will be discharged back to the rehab hospital and will be right back where he was when he first go there.
DeleteI feel so blessed by this group. Thank you.
Praying for a good outcome and for his spirits to improve.
DeleteI'm glad the surgery went okay, praying for a good outcome.
DeleteJust went on a dance weekend and was still thinking about your husband. With prayer.
DeleteHi everyone, sorry, I've been keeping up with reading the posts and comments but haven't had much time recently to post or comment. I've got a few days off and will try to rectify that somewhat over the next few days. Anne, so glad to see that the surgery went well. Continuing to pray for your husband and for you.
ReplyDeleteKatherine, I am not certain I've run across that hymn before. I definitely don't recognize the tune - but it's really nice! The text rings a vague bell, but for some reason I hear it in my head sung to a different tune. But I could simply be mistaken - I looked for it in Gather (didn't find it), and the versions I see on YouTube use HELMSLEY.
ReplyDeleteTantum Ergo comes to mind, Jim.
DeleteThe Tantum Ergo tune would work with the lyrics.
DeleteChrist the King coming up this weekend, almost the end of the liturgical year.
DeleteThis is the John Rutter arraignment:
Deletehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eBAG0TXu2AE
This is another version (Regent Square)
Deletehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4yEn7OWLMoo