(Luke 21:17-18) “’You will be hated by all because of my name, but not a hair on your head will be destroyed. By your perseverance you will secure your lives.’”
Dear Parishioners and Friends,
In many ways the liturgical year corresponds with the seasons. As we come to the end of the growing season and the advent of winter in many parts of the world, it should not surprise us that the Church points our spiritual thoughts and sentiments toward what we call the Four Last Things: Death, Judgment, Heaven, Hell – the four last stages of the soul in life and the afterlife.
When I was a boy growing up in Indiana, the change of seasons was much more dramatic than here in California. As the days grew shorter, the temperatures began to drop little by little; then there was the first good frost that killed off most plants still alive outside. There was a last minute effort to harvest the last of the summer vegetables like tomatoes that were picked while still green on the vine to be fried up Southern style or turned into a wonderful relish we called piccalilli. Fruits and vegetables left outside would be spoiled by the frost and die. For just a few weeks the leaves on the trees would turn various shades of yellow, red, orange, and brown in a brilliant array in their last blaze of glory, and then they were virtually all gone. Soon the ground was frozen, and the bitter cold wind would shriek and wail as it would blow across the barren fields, soon to be covered with a pure white blanket of snow. Winter had come. Did you ever notice how the seasons remind us of God’s eternal plan?
What would it be like to have perpetual winter? In C. S. Lewis’ classic story The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, made into a splendid film over ten years ago, the children first arrive in the land of Narnia where it is always bitter cold, always winter, under the reign of the White Witch, symbol of evil. Only with the coming of Aslan, symbol of redemption, is there salvation from permanent winter. Finally, the children must fight the White Witch and her legions in a fierce battle, but with the aid of Aslan they are victorious and the warmth of love and goodness return to Narnia.
Jesus has truly suffered, died, and risen for us in the fight for our souls upon his cross. Satan was cast down, sin forgiven, and life restored. Today, the Lord continues to empower us in our struggle against evil and in our efforts to live Godly lives. Though some days it appears as if the battle is being lost, we have the guarantee that in the end the war will be won. Victory is certain for those who stand tall with the Lord. He will never let down those who remain faithful.