This is a reflection on the Mass readings of the day.
The book of Revelation is full of vivid imagery, and many Scripture scholars have spent significant portions of their lives attempting to decipher that imagery precisely.
If there is one thing about Revelation that no one can dispute–and it would seem, this was in John’s heart when writing it–it is that the final victory of God will be definitive, dramatic, and unmistakable. Over and over again, with different imagery, John hammers home that those who have with their lives chosen God, and not fallen into the narcotic effect of the allurements of the world, will share in that victory. Those who have not, will not.
Some take the “mark of the beast” as signifying something physical “on their foreheads or hands” as today’s reading puts it. Maybe it’s a microchip. Maybe it’s an amusement park reentry tattoo. Regardless of what physical manifestations may or may not be involved, for those who “worship the beast,” a mark on the soul most certainly can be described.
It is not the kind of mark that imprints a distinct, discernible character onto the soul, like the character imparted with Baptism or Confirmation. If anything, the “mark” shows up as a soul less well defined: Less defined in it’s intentional free choices, and less crisp in its adherence to the truth. The mark of the beast is a mark of vagueness, ambiguity, self-contradiction, even devolving to a lesser or greater extent into madness.
In contrast, the mark of the spirit of Christ on the soul is crispness, clarity, decisiveness, security, serenity–or more precisely, Wisdom, Understanding, Counsel, Knowledge, Fortitude, Piety, and Fear of the Lord.
Sometimes we think of the mark of the beast–that is, evil in all its embodiments–as daunting, formidable, terrifying, powerful. Indeed, when it is “in charge” here on earth, it can do great damange. But more often, it manifests itself as revoltingly pitiable. And at the end of time, for those who love the Lord, it simply goes away.
Ideas for conversation with the Lord: Read the reading from Revelation again, without fixating on how literally true each image is. Consider and marvel at the spectacle that John paints. We can be sure that the drama that he brings into the scene will be present in all its intensity. Perhaps it is better that we have only the imagery now, as the reality will likely be so dramatic that we would have trouble assimilating it if it were available to us in written form. Ask Jesus to help you adopt a more and more pronounced imprint of His mark on your soul: The deep and enriching gifts of the Holy Spirit, by which He makes you a wondrous version of your own self.
Follow the Author on Twitter:Follow @mvhaywilliams