Celebrating the world's end and feeling fine

Each year the Roman Catholic Church dedicates the month of November to praying for the dead. It is also during November that the liturgical comes to an end. Of course, the last Sunday in Ordinary Time is the Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe. Hence, our readings from the lectionary during these final weeks of the year tend to be eschatological (i.e., having to do with the end of time). Our second reading for this Solemnity is taken from the Book of Revelation. In the northern hemisphere, late autumn lends itself nicely to reflecting on death and last things.

Throughout our uniquely Christian Scriptures, collectively known as the New Testament, great emphasis is placed on living in anticipation of Jesus's return, which can happen at any time with no warning. Living this way is how Christ's disciples are to live. It doesn't mean that the things of this world do not matter. On the contrary, it means how we live in this world matters greatly. It is not whether or not life in this world matters, but what in the world matters and what doesn't. Living this way requires us not only to detach ourselves from riches and possessions but to use our time and resources to take care of those in need.

Christ the Judge, Basilica of the Immaculate Conception

To live in this way is how a person prepares for eternal life, for unending life in in God's kingdom. To live in any other way is move away from life in God's kingdom, perhaps ensuring that life in that kingdom, which, according to the teaching of the Lord, is our world turned upside-down, is not our desired destiny.

It's important to keep in mind that God's unending kingdom, once established, will not be in heaven. Rather, heaven will come down to earth:

Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth. The former heaven and the former earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. I also saw the holy city, a new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.b 3I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, God’s dwelling is with the human race. He will dwell with them and they will be his people and God himself will always be with them [as their God]. He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there shall be no more death or mourning, wailing or pain, [for] the old order has passed away (Revelation 21:1-4)

A fitting for traditio for this penultimate Friday of our current year of grace is the Gradual from the Requiem Mass: