The Bible is composed of various writings and literature and for that reason it can present problems and difficulties for a reader in the understanding of the various books and passages of Sacred Scripture. In these last days and weeks of the Church’s liturgical year, both the Sunday and weekdays Liturgy of the Word present such readings. In Luke, chapter 21, we have what is known as Jesus’ “eschatological discourse” and next week the gospel readings will be taken from this discourse. Eschatology has to do with the last things, eschata, of both Jerusalem and the world. The gospel reading for today, the 33rd Sunday of the year, is the beginning of Jesus’ ‘eschatological discourse’ in Luke.

Tomorrow, Monday the 14th, the first reading in the Liturgy of the Word is from the Book of Revelation, the last book in the New Testament. We will be reading from Revelation until the First Sunday of Advent. The Book of Revelation is known as “apocalyptic literature” and formerly this book was entitled the Book of Apocalypse. There is a difference between eschatology and apocalyptic although both have to do with the future. Eschatology is easier to understand since it deals with facts and happenings. Apocalyptic literature is not that easy to understand since it uses images and symbols to convey its teaching. Another important aspect of “apocalyptic literature” is that one must know the historical background that occasioned its writing. The crisis that occasioned Revelation was the persecutions of the early Church by the Roman authorities. The book is an exhortation and an admonish to the Christians of the first century to remain faithful to the faith and not to compromise their beliefs despite the suffering and possible martyrdom.

“Apocalyptic literature” has its roots in the Old Testament and especially in the prophets. After the fall of Jerusalem in 587, prophecy in its traditional form ceased to exist. It was with the appearance of the Book of Daniel that “apocalyptic literature” took form. Although the Book of Daniel is listed under the prophetic books, Daniel is not a prophet. Although the book tells the story of Daniel being exiled along with other Jews to Babylon in the 6th century, the book was composed during the bitter persecution (167 – 164 B.C.) of Antiochus IV of the Seleucid dynasty which ruled in Syria and Palestine. Antiochus IV tried to force the Greek religion and ways on the Jewish people. The book of Daniel was written to encourage and comfort the Jewish people in this ordeal.

It is hoped that this brief explanation of what constitutes “eschatology “and “apocalyptic literature” will help one to better understand the readings which make up the Liturgy of the Word for these last days of the Church’s liturgical year.

-Fr. Bill