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Jesus said to his disciples: “In those days after that tribulation
the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and
the stars will be falling from the sky, and the powers in the
heavens will be shaken.” Mark 13:24–25
The “tribulation” of which our Lord speaks, refers to a great
persecution of the Church and of those with faith. Regarding this
tribulation, the Catechism of the Catholic Church
states:
Before Christ's second coming the Church must pass through a final
trial that will shake the faith of many believers. The persecution
that accompanies her pilgrimage on earth will unveil the “mystery
of iniquity” in the form of a religious deception offering men an
apparent solution to their problems at the price of apostasy from
the truth. (#675).
Is this “final trial” happening today? Though it is impossible to
apply Jesus’ prophecy and the Catechism’s teaching to one
specific moment in time, the fact remains that this trial and
tribulation will take place. That is for certain. But how and when
it will take place we do not know. It might be that it already has
taken place or that it is taking place right now. Only God can
properly interpret these prophetic words.
With that said, this final trial and “mystery of iniquity” does
take place in all of our lives in various ways. When we devote
ourselves to the love and service of God, we can be certain that
our faith will be tested and that persecution will be experienced
in one way or another. Knowing this, however, should not frighten
us. On the contrary, it was spoken by our Lord to prepare us and to
help us endure whatever trials we experience in life. Jesus’ words
must instill hope within us when we endure the suffering caused by
evil.
Jesus also said that when we see persecutions, trials and
tribulation, we must “know that he is near, at the gates.” In other
words, the greater the suffering one endures for their faith, the
more present God is. He is there, at the gate of your heart,
waiting for you to run to Him in trust and hope.
As we approach the end of our current Church year, most of our
readings at Mass will focus upon the end times. We will read about
Jesus’ glorious return in glory, the end of the world, and the
establishment of His permanent Kingdom as Heaven and earth are
united as one. It could take place today or tomorrow, or it might
not take place for thousands of years. But it will happen. On that
day, the day of the final judgment, the only thing that will matter
is our fidelity to God. For that reason, we must daily strive to
live as if that day were today. We must diligently prepare for that
day and live for that glorious moment alone. If life is easy right
now, we should work to be more selfless and sacrificial so as to be
prepared. If life is challenging right now, we must enter those
challenges with hope and trust, uniting every suffering to Christ’s
sufferings as a sacrifice of love.
Reflect, today, upon Jesus’ prophecy that “the sun will be
darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will
be falling from the sky, and the powers in the heavens will be
shaken.” As you do, know that these are words spoken not only to
the Church as a whole, but also to you. Jesus wants you to know
that any suffering and tribulation you endure, every “darkening of
the sun” or any way that you feel “shaken” are opportunities for
you to turn to God in trust. Invite our Lord into these experiences
and know that they are signs of His closeness to help purify you
and prepare you for the glorious day of His return.
Most glorious Judge, You will return one day in glory to judge
the living and the dead. Before that day, You have revealed that
Your Church will endure much suffering. Please give me hope during
those moments in my life so that I can offer to You every suffering
I endure as a sacrifice of love, offered in union with Your own
perfect sacrifice. Jesus, I trust in You.
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