I love the first reading this weekend from the Prophet Daniel mainly because it speaks of Michael, the great prince, whose Hebrew name מִיכָאֵל (Mikha'el) means “He who is like God?" I just like saying that. Michael is one of the seven archangels in Hebrew tradition. In the Book of Revelation in the New Testament he is portrayed as the leader of heaven's armies, and thus is considered the patron saint of soldiers. The popularity of the saint led to the name being used by nine Byzantine emperors, including Michael VIII Palaeologus who restored the empire in the 13th century. It has been common in Western Europe since the Middle Ages, and in England since the 12th century. It has been borne (in various spellings) by rulers of Russia (spelled Muxaur), Romania (Mihai), Poland (Michał), and Portugal (Miguel). But enough on ‘Mikey’.
This weekend’s first and gospel readings are apocalyptic and are tied to the end of the Church liturgical year, with the New (liturgical) Year—Advent—nearby. Apocalyptic writings are a message of hope, written in symbolic language about Jesus Christ’s victory over sin and evil, and with the Church on earth working out the details, if you will. Apocalyptic writings are not about future—about-to-happen events—but rather are about what has already happened and is now unfolding or taking place around us. Jesus Christ has died and is risen, overcoming sin and evil. This literature teaches us how evil and Christianity “coexists”—and our role in this “battle.”
Theologically, Christians believe that two realms exist: heaven where there is no evil, only perfection—and earth where good and evil exist together. Our faith teaches us that in the earthly realm the Church is “working out the details” of heaven’s perfection “is not yet fulfilled.” Our faith teaches us that in living out our beliefs, we bring the earthly realm closer into alignment with the heavenly realm of light and perfection, shining in and through the darkness of earth. This can only be accomplished with God’s grace, thus the Church working out the details amid and amongst humanity. Many people find this idea hard to believe and ask the question, “Couldn’t God step in and just make earth like heaven?” Sure. But in His Divine Love God has planned a vital role for each and every one of us. Discipleship calls us to recognize that as believers we have work to do. We are called, as I mentioned last weekend in the homily based on the three readings to have “Trust” in God’s love and plan for us; “Truth” to hear and believe His Words are the only way to salvation; and, not falling to “Hypocrisy” like the Scribes overseeing the widows’ estates, but rather blend our faith into our everyday activities of life. So when it comes to our Catholic faith: “Believe It. Live It. Share It.”
We have work to do…so we join with the Church universal in caring for the sick, feeding the hungry, housing the poor, protecting the vulnerable, defending life and family, comforting the sorrowful, educating the ignorant, and welcoming the wondering. We call them the Corporal Works of Mercy. Pope Francis has declared a Jubilee Year of Mercy from 8 December 2015 until 22 November 2016 as a time for the whole Church—dioceses, parishes, and people alike—to seek mercy from God for ourselves and to be merciful to others. You can only obtain what you are willing to give. May we enter this Jubilee Year of Mercy with the same “campaign slogan,” Maranatha—Come, Lord Jesus! Come into my heart and make me more like you.