We began last October, ended yesterday - about nine months to work our way through the Book of Revelation, meeting weekly for an hour by Zoom. I wanted to share some "closing comments" from the participants with you folks here, because I suspect that the feelings expressed among us in the final meeting may well express sentiments valid universally, for Catholics across the country (America) if not around the world these days.
1. Most admitted in the final Session that they were initially nervous - to say the least -about the Study. The Book of Revelation had been an unknown, and was frightening to them. None had ever heard of a study on this Book before, most could not remember ever - ever - hearing about it in a homily or anywhere else in their Catholic lives, from any priest or pastor. They anticipated frightening and disturbing and ominous things to come, but because the Book was such an unknown, they were interested and willing to at least be present and see.
2. The actual effect on them was not what they expected. Many expressed very positive reassurance to hear of God's patience, and continued calls to repentance from His people who would fall into the ways of the world, into lukewarmness in the faith, into lies and seductions of the evil one. They were consoled to hear of His perfect justice to come, and be made manifest in a truly beautiful New Creation - even though that meant their own repentance must be made more complete than it is now. They were joyful to hear of the beautiful and perfect Kingdom to come, for the faithful.
3. They were troubled - even to being near angry - that they never heard all this before in the Church, from anyone in the Church who was supposed to form them and teach them. They were troubled that they knew so little of the Bible in general, and this Book - seen to be very important and relevant to these dark and troubled times - in particular. They were not happy that the "professional" teachers in the Church had kept this Book away from them.
4. But they were very, very happy - and appreciative - to have studied it, listened to it, learned from it now. Some wanted to study this same Book again, from the beginning again, because it is so rich and full and deep and they know they did not grasp it all - in its many mysteries, this first time! This was amplified with the sense that these may well be near the end times; His final coming may be very near, and we need to be ready, as He warned.
I think pastors ought to hear this, and consider the real hungers that may be within their congregations right now, and their personal responsibility to feed their people His Holy Word. I'd be grateful to hear your responses on any part of this "report".
1. Most admitted in the final Session that they were initially nervous - to say the least -about the Study. The Book of Revelation had been an unknown, and was frightening to them. None had ever heard of a study on this Book before, most could not remember ever - ever - hearing about it in a homily or anywhere else in their Catholic lives, from any priest or pastor. They anticipated frightening and disturbing and ominous things to come, but because the Book was such an unknown, they were interested and willing to at least be present and see.
2. The actual effect on them was not what they expected. Many expressed very positive reassurance to hear of God's patience, and continued calls to repentance from His people who would fall into the ways of the world, into lukewarmness in the faith, into lies and seductions of the evil one. They were consoled to hear of His perfect justice to come, and be made manifest in a truly beautiful New Creation - even though that meant their own repentance must be made more complete than it is now. They were joyful to hear of the beautiful and perfect Kingdom to come, for the faithful.
3. They were troubled - even to being near angry - that they never heard all this before in the Church, from anyone in the Church who was supposed to form them and teach them. They were troubled that they knew so little of the Bible in general, and this Book - seen to be very important and relevant to these dark and troubled times - in particular. They were not happy that the "professional" teachers in the Church had kept this Book away from them.
4. But they were very, very happy - and appreciative - to have studied it, listened to it, learned from it now. Some wanted to study this same Book again, from the beginning again, because it is so rich and full and deep and they know they did not grasp it all - in its many mysteries, this first time! This was amplified with the sense that these may well be near the end times; His final coming may be very near, and we need to be ready, as He warned.
I think pastors ought to hear this, and consider the real hungers that may be within their congregations right now, and their personal responsibility to feed their people His Holy Word. I'd be grateful to hear your responses on any part of this "report".
