The moment of eschatological fulfilment gathers together the sense of the past (‘the days when Christ was in the flesh’), the future (‘the days are coming’), and the present (‘the hour has come’). We live in the time when the past and the future are made present; we live in the ‘already-but-not-yet’ time of anticipation/fulfilment. This is a moment of great ambiguity, of fear and trepidation but of electric excitement. It is a moment of decision. We hover at the edge of dawn, weighing whether or not to step forward into the new day or to return to the darkness of night.

This ‘hour’ brings a new covenant, a deep interior relationship with God that is not based on law but which overflows from a commitment of the heart. It brings an abundant harvest that springs from a simple grain of wheat. It brings a promise from God’s own Son that those who serve him will be honoured by God, and those who obey him will enjoy eternal life.

Although the ‘hour’ brings all of these blessings, it only does so with a price. The new covenant could only be written on new hearts; the abundant harvest sprang from the dying grain of wheat; eternal salvation was won at the price of Christ’s blood. As challenging as the message of these readings may be, the last note is one of hope. It can overcome the demons that control us, because it is the power of the almighty God.

© Dianne Bergant CSA