‘Doomsday Prepping’
Catholic-Style
December 21, 2012 is right around the corner, so, according
to the ancient Mayans (or at least those trying to capitalize financially on
the ancient Mayans) that should mean the end of the world. As Christians, we should know not to take
such things seriously. The world will
most certainly come to an end, and that day may or may not be soon, but just a
few weeks ago at Mass we heard Jesus say that “of that day or hour, no one knows”
(Mk. 13:31). No one includes the ancient
Mayans.
The end of the world is a hot topic, though, there’s no doubt
about it. One of the more popular
reality shows is Doomsday Preppers,
about people’s preparations to survive some imminent natural, economic or
military disaster.
Now I am not casting aspersions on anyone featured on the
show. We certainly live in perilous
times, and threats of terrorism, tyranny and economic collapse are not unrealistic. However, in this Sunday’s Gospel Jesus warns
us about an event that we can be sure is coming, and yet our culture does very
little prepping for, even though doing so should be a hallmark of our lives.
I am speaking, of course, of the Second Coming. Jesus will return and the present world will
end. This is not fantasy or the
imaginings of fanatics. It has been
promised by our Lord, and is a clear teaching of the Faith.
This event will be preceded by tribulations, which will
undoubtedly include persecutions, and numerous people will likely die, many as
martyrs. Of course, try being a
Christian in much of the Eastern Hemisphere today and that would simply be
called daily life. There is a much more
subtle and perhaps more dangerous persecution we face in the West. But other than telling us to pray for the
strength to endure the tribulations, Jesus focuses on another warning in this
week’s Gospel.
He tells us that nations will be in dismay and people will
die of fright. As St. John relates in
his Gospel, the people preferred darkness to the Light. When the Light of the World returns in
majesty, those who have embraced the darkness will not be able to stand. But to us, Jesus gives very different
advice. “Stand erect and raise your
heads,” He says, “because your redemption is at hand” (Lk. 21:28).
Even many believers don’t like to think about the end of the
world, perhaps because of the tribulations preceding it, but I think mostly
because we are so attached to the worldly lives we have constructed for
ourselves. But with the early Christians
it was not so. Look at the very end of
the Book of Revelation. What does it
say? “Come, Lord Jesus.” The people were waiting with anticipation for
the return of the Lord and the day of their redemption.
That day will come.
Whether it comes in our lifetimes or not, no one knows, as Jesus has
made clear. But to me, it seems that
Jesus is telling us that there will be two groups of people on that day: those
who, out of hatred of the Light, flee and even die of fright; and those, who
belong to the Light, who stand proud, for this is the day of their victory.
Jesus wants us, and all men, to be in the latter group. We know that God desires all to be saved,
which is why He so often warns us of the things that lead to perdition. “Beware [of] carousing and drunkenness,” He
says. But then He warns us not to let
the “anxieties of daily life” make our hearts become drowsy.
For most of us, we may imagine that we are on the right path,
but we had better examine how we have responded to the anxieties of daily
life. It is so easy to get wrapped up in
worldly concerns, many of which are reasonable and part of the duties of our
state in life. But before long, if we
have not made our spiritual life THE
priority, we realize that we have stopped dedicating quality time to prayer, we
no longer have time for charitable activities, and we can’t even remember the
last time we fasted or went on a retreat, or even made a holy hour. If nothing else, I know I am speaking for
myself.
It is so critical to make prayer and time with God the most
important part of our day. We don’t need
to spend two hours in meditation. Not
that that wouldn’t be great, but many of us do have responsibilities that might
preclude it. But what we need to do is
carve out quality time to spend in prayer, and make that time non-negotiable. Many spiritual directors recommend starting
our day with that serious prayer, so that we are sure the anxieties and chaos
of the day don’t rob us of it.
Either way, though, if we make that time a priority, that we
do not sacrifice for any but the most critical of circumstances, we will be
among those who stand erect at the Coming of the Lord. St. Alphonsus Liguori said, “Those who pray
are certainly saved.” Whether or not we
are alive at the Second Coming of Christ, we all will face the day when we
stand before Him and our lives will be our judgment.
None of us know what exactly the future will bring, and there
is no harm in being prepared. But before
we prepare our bunkers, or our food storage systems, or whatever, we had better
prepare our souls. Because there is no
running from that day forever, and it is the Children of the Light who will
prove to be truly prepared.
