On August 21, 2017, millions of people across the USA watched the total solar eclipse. The path of totality for this particular eclipse occurred just over one country.
News outlets covered the reactions of people as they watched. The range of emotions included tears, cheering, shouting, and silence. Apparently, the most common exclamation was, “Oh, my God!”
A sign of the end of time?
In the midst of the anticipation of this event by millions, there were also those who saw this as an apocalyptic event or at the very least a sign of God’s impending judgement on America.
They quoted the prophecy from Joel, “The sun shall be turned to darkness before the day of the Lord comes.” Bad Church Secretary tweeted, tongue in cheek, ”The office will be closed Monday afternoon due to the scheduled apocalypse. Will open after we've confirmed it's just an eclipse.” We also had those who would have us believe that the event was linked to the 100th anniversary of Our Lady of Fatima.
This is not the first time we have heard that the apocalypse is upon us, nor will it be the last. Conspiracy theories abound. Self-styled prophets capitalize on natural events and see celestial signs as portents of God’s wrath, whipping people into a frenzy. As Catholics, how are we to react when we hear stories of impending doom and gloom?
How Catholics are to react to conspiracy theories
We are not to get caught up in fundamentalist theories about the end-times. The Catechism is very clear that Christ will indeed come again but that this Second Coming is associated with the end of the world and the Last Judgement.
We do not know when that will happen. In fact, we would not even know if He were to come for our souls tonight, like a thief in the night. We need to be prepared and live as if today were our last day on earth. Like the virgins in the parable, we need to have oil in our lamps and be ready for the Bridegroom who can come at any time.
Let us then live not in fear of fables and superstition. Let us be discerning and watch out for false prophets who will distract us from our real calling—to live our faith daily. Instead of worrying, let us watch in hope for the coming of our Savior, our Lord Jesus Christ. Maranatha!
What does this have to do with dating, you might ask?
Just like we are to be prepared for the coming of our Lord, we are to make the most of the time when we are single, preparing and equipping ourselves to be the kind of husband or wife that God is calling us to be.
1. Ask the Holy Spirit to form you and to build character in you.
2. Consider the attributes of a godly husband or wife and work on cultivating them in your own life.
3. Serve the church in areas of need, whether you feel you are gifted or not. Service prepares you for marriage.
4. Give of your time and money to those in need. Self-giving prepares you to die to your needs and live for your spouse.
I speak these words of encouragement not just to you but for myself. I, too, need to be reminded daily that I am called to follow my Master to death—death of self—and not fear the end of the time or the apocalypse. God will provide for our every need in His good time.
