SECRET  REVELATIONS

INTRODUCTION

The title of my homily for this 33 Monday in Ordinary time is, “Secret Revelations.”

BOOK OF REVELATION

Today’s first reading is from the opening words of the Book of Revelation and then it jumps to the 2^nd chapter of the Book of Revelation.

We are going to cover the rest of the Book of Revelation for the next and last 2 weeks of the Church Year’s weekday readings.

So I thought I’d say a little about the Book of Revelation - under the theme of Secret Revelations.

The alternative year’s readings are Maccabees and the Book of Daniel.

A question: have you ever studied the Book of Revelation with a commentary in book form, or tapes or a Bible Study Group?  It would be well worth it.

It’s dated from around the year 90 - written sometime during the reign of Emperor Domitian - whose dates are 81 to 96 AD.

It’s filled with visions, drama, song, apocalyptic language and images.

If it was on stage, we would see the Lamb, armies marching, people breaking open the seals of secret documents, trumpets, roaring dragons, lions, beasts and bowls, angels, clouds, the river of life, a new heaven and a new earth.

The main stress - the main image - of the book is Jesus Christ - the Lamb of God - who saves us and is our hope of salvation.

And because the church is going through tough times - like persecutions the language in the Book of Revelation is code language at times.

That’s why a guide would be helpful. Moreover there has been a lot of research on the type of literature we have here - and it’s often connected to the Book of Daniel - which was written also in dangerous times.

Scott Hahn was some wonderful insights on the Book of Revelation connecting it loud and clear with the Mass.

CHURCH: LOTS OF VISIONARIES

For a thought for the day besides this quick introduction to the Book of Revelation which begins today, I would like to say a few words about the phenomenon of secret writings and secret revelations.

The history of Christianity has had a lot of visionaries down through history who put their visions into written form.

From what I pick up - visionaries catch the attention of those who feel they are in the dark - they don’t know - and they would like to be in on the secret.

The Early Church has had various groups - who end up being called, “Gnostics.”

They are in the know - and often they are declared to be heretics.

When it comes to religion, we’ll meet many people, who want to have an edge. They want to be safe. They want eternal life on the other side of the unseen side of death.

Secrets sell. Secrets sell books. Secrets make money. Before I came to Annapolis - which has it’s set geographical boundaries - I was on the road  - all over Ohio and lots of other places. I also was in 3 retreat houses - for 22 years of my life - where people came from all kinds of places. So I have had varied experiences of  people from lots of places - who have told me that they have read a book by a visionary.

I’ve checked some of them out.

Most of the time I have kept my mouth shut - following the Gamaliel principal: - if this is of God, it will last, if this is nonsense, it will end up on some book shelf gathering dust. [Cf. Acts of the Apostles 5: 38-39.]

Rome rarely gives its approval of visionries - some of whom I consider crazy. Visionaries talk about the end of the world is coming. Some talk about Mary being God. Others talk about St. Joseph being the Holy Spirit.

For example, the visionary of Bayside, Long Island, Veronica Lucken  made statements about Paul VI being an imposter and lots of other strange comments - so called “Secret Revelations.”

These books sell.

And if someone said there is a visionary in Virginia or Ocean City, I guarantee there will be traffic jams.

CONCLUSION: ENOUGH WITH THE WHINING

I don’t want to say much more - other than saying, “Why wouldn’t people concentrate on the gospels - like today’s gospel and pray with the Blind Man - I want to see - like seeing our neighbor in need or a person who could use a “hello” and a “compliment.”

Instead of reading stuff that often is complaints and fuzzy theology and spirituality, read with the gospels - and if you have a good guide, go for the Book of Revelation.

Amen.