“DIDJA KNOW?”
by: Deacon Paul Rooney (deaconpaul@cox.net)
2nd Sunday of Advent
(Cycle “B" – December 04, 2005)

Q. 348:   Today the reading from St. Peter is talking about radical cosmic violence on the “day of the Lord” (2 Pt 3:8-14).   Is he deliberately trying to scare us?

A. 348:   Permit me to draw an analogy.   We “aficionados” of crab meat – both as cooks and as consumers – are aware that growing crabs “molt” every so often as they grow.   This means that they shed their outer shell, which does not grow, to make room for a new shell more conducive to housing their growing body.   And they need lots of “moisture” to avoid death and to make the process less painful.   This “self-shedding of the old” is doing “radical violence” to what we call the crab’s body.   But it is absolutely necessary in order to avoid death from suffocation in his “old” lifestyle.

Now take that analogy to the spiritual level. St. Peter is saying (in effect) that we, too, must make “every effort to be found without stain or defilement” when the Lord comes again.   Notice that it calls for effort on our part; we don’t just waltz our way into heaven – it takes work, albeit joyful work.   We need to shed our old “shells” of selfishness and pride, as well as our disobedience to the teachings of the Church Magisterium in matters of faith and morals (such disobedience is also sinful and stubborn pride, is it not?).

St. Peter is warning us not to be caught wrapped in a useless shell of cultural conformity that prevents spiritual growth.   Continued spiritual growth is an absolutely essential part of our preparation for eternity; it is our way of “preparing the way of the Lord” who will come again at a time unknown to us, without warning.   We need the “moisture” of prayer, humility and trustful obedience to the Magisterium to avoid eternal death.

KNOW YOUR CATECHISM! Our loving Father in heaven does not desire that anyone perish from obstinate sin (CCC #2822).   The Church intercedes and implores God’s mercy daily (CCC #1037).   The King is going to return, and we pray to hasten his return: “Come, Lord Jesus” (CCC #671).   Until then, especially during this Advent season, we continue to be reconciled with God and with the Church through the Sacrament of Penance (CCC #980).

Deacon Paul Rooney
Mary Our Queen Parish, Omaha