Apocalypse=Revelation

Wednesday of the Fourth Week of Easter
Readings may be found here

​The word apocalypse is often misunderstood in popular culture. In the biblical setting, the word means revelation. It is an unveiling of the formerly hidden purposes and/or presence of God. The presumption is that there are some truths that we human beings would not arrive at by our own reason or powers of observation.
 
For example, the prophets revealed the will of God to the people in particular circumstances. And we call the Scriptures themselves revelation because the Holy Spirit inspires the authors for the purpose of revealing God’s presence among us and His will for us. 
 
Today, the Gospel of John points to the ultimate Revelation of God’s interior life and that Revelation is the Word Who is Jesus Christ. The Lord Himself cries out “whoever sees Me sees the One Who sent Me!” This powerful truth is difficult for human beings. Just look to Jesus’ ministry to see how this revelation also lays bare the heart and provokes a very mixed response. It is never easy for us to surrender our own limited view of the world and trust in the God of Love.
 
In a moment that feels apocalyptic in the Hollywood sense of the term, it is good to be reminded that even now it is possible with the eyes of faith to see the unveiling of God’s presence and purposes. Like those first disciples we know the grace of Jesus Christ. May our hearts be laid bare, and transformed, by the true Apocalypse - Jesus Christ the Revelation of the Father.