THE NOW WORD ON MASS READINGS
for January 25th, 2014
Feast of the Conversion of Saint Paul, Apostle
Liturgical texts here
THERE is believed by many saints and mystics in the Church to be an event coming known as the “Illumination”: a moment when God will reveal to everyone in the world at once the condition of their souls. [1]cf. The Eye of the Storm
I pronounced a great day… wherein the terrible Judge should reveal all men’s consciences and try every man of each kind of religion. This is the day of change, this is the Great Day which I threatened, comfortable to the well-being, and terrible to all heretics. —St. Edmund Campion, Cobett’s Complete Collection of State Trials…, Vol. I, p. 1063.
Blessed Anna Maria Taigi (1769-1837), known and praised by popes for her astoundingly accurate visions, also spoke of such an event.
She indicated that this illumination of conscience would result in the saving of many souls because many would repent as a result of this “warning”… this miracle of “self-illumination.” —Fr. Joseph Iannuzzi in Antichrist and the End Times, P. 36
And more recently, Venezuela mystic, Servant of God Maria Esperanza (1928-2004) said,
The consciences of this beloved people must be violently shaken so that they may “put their house in order”… A great moment is approaching, a great day of light… it is the hour of decision for mankind. —Ibid, P. 37 (Volumne 15-n.2, Featured Article from www.sign.org)
The biblical precedent for this event is in Revelation Chapter 6 where St. John describes a moment in which suddenly everyone on earth sees “a Lamb that seemed to have been slain.” [2]cf. Rev 5:6 It is clearly not the final coming in glory. Rather, it is a moment of conviction; a moment of decision…
They cried out to the mountains and the rocks, “Fall on us and hide us from the face of the one who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb, because the great day of their wrath has come and who can withstand it?”… Then I saw another angel come up from the East, holding the seal of the living God. He cried out in a loud voice to the four angels who were given power to damage the land and the sea, “Do not damage the land or the sea or the trees until we put the seal on the foreheads of the servants of our God.” (Rev 6:16-7:3)
St. Faustina also previewed this event of the crucified Lamb. Her account is especially important since we know, according to her approved revelations, that we are living now in the “time of mercy” [3]cf. Divine Mercy in My Soul, Diary of St Faustina, n. 1160 when this event will come:
Before I come as the just Judge, I am coming first as the King of Mercy. Before the day of justice arrives, there will be given to people a sign in the heavens of this sort: All light in the heavens will be extinguished, and there will be great darkness over the whole earth. Then the sign of the cross will be seen in the sky, and from the openings where the hands and the feet of the Savior were nailed will come forth great lights which will light up the earth for a period of time —Jesus to St. Faustina, Diary of Divine Mercy, Diary, n. 83
Have you ever wondered what will happen after this event? When every man, woman, and child will know that Jesus exists? When people will see their interior souls as God would seem them, as though it were their particular judgment?
Today’s readings give us some answers. When the “great day of light” came upon Saul, it mentions that only he was converted. The others who were accompanying him on his way to persecute Christians also heard Jesus’ voice [4]cf. Acts 9:7 — but there is no account of them accompanying St. Paul. In fact, we know that the Apostle was later persecuted and martyred by his peers.
Likewise, when the “Illumination” comes, some will respond like St. Paul: “What shall I do, Sir?” While others will close themselves off from the Light, choosing instead the “mark of the beast” over the seal of the Lamb.
St. Paul wasn’t the only one to experience a vision. So too did the disciple Ananias who replies, “Here I am Lord.” And Jesus sends him forth to operate in the authority, charisms, and power of the Holy Spirit.
Likewise, when the Illumination comes, Jesus will speak to those who have been preparing in the Upper Room, in the desert of their hearts, and they will be sent in the power of the Holy Spirit. He will say to them as He does in today’s Gospel:
Go into the whole world and proclaim the Gospel to every creature. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved; whoever does not believe will be condemned. These signs will accompany those who believe…
You are the light of the world. (Luke 5:14)
It is for this “new chapter in evangelization” that I believe the Holy Father and the Holy Spirit are ultimately preparing the Church as we approach the Day of the Lord. [5]cf. Faustina, and the Day of the Lord
How I long to find the right words to stir up enthusiasm for a new chapter of evangelization full of fervour, joy, generosity, courage, boundless love and attraction! Yet I realize that no words of encouragement will be enough unless the fire of the Holy Spirit burns in our hearts. —POPE FRANCIS, Evangelii Gaudium, n. 261
Are you ready?
Praise the LORD, all you nations;
glorify him, all you peoples!
(Today’s Psalm, 117)
RELATED READING
- When is the Illumination coming? Read The Seven Seals of Revolution
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Footnotes
| ↑1 | cf. The Eye of the Storm |
|---|---|
| ↑2 | cf. Rev 5:6 |
| ↑3 | cf. Divine Mercy in My Soul, Diary of St Faustina, n. 1160 |
| ↑4 | cf. Acts 9:7 |
| ↑5 | cf. Faustina, and the Day of the Lord |