The first readings for this 34th Week of Ordinary Time is taken from the Book of Revelation (except Thursday in the United States as we celebrate Thanksgiving). Revelation, the last book of the Bible, is one of the most difficult to understand because it abounds in unfamiliar and extravagant symbolism, which at best is unfamiliar to us. Symbolic language, however, is one of the chief characteristics of apocalyptic literature which enjoyed wide popularity in both Jewish and Christian circles from ca. 200 B.C. to A.D. 200. The first readings this week contain visions in symbolic and allegorical language borrowed extensively from the Old Testament, especially Ezekiel, Zechariah, and Daniel. Continue reading →