The First Post

 eschaton [és-kuh-ton]:  

     the consummation of history at Christ’s Second Coming 

             when the Kingdom of God will be fully realized

                   in the reconciliation of all humanity with God 

                         and the creation of a new heaven and earth

I created this blog, Blessed Eschaton, to explore and express my profound conviction that the Eschaton is at the heart of Biblical revelation and Christian faith.  The Eschaton illumines the course of human history from beginning to end.  The Eschaton is the most profound meaning of the person and activity of Jesus Christ.  The Eschaton directs the mission of the Church.  The Eschaton is ultimately the foundation of human hope. 

I am very grateful that the Spirit of God has led me finally into this “eschatological” space, to perhaps the most powerful grace I have ever received in my Catholic Christian life.  O Blessed Eschaton!   I read the Bible with new eyes.  I see Christ in brand new light.  I pray the Psalms with new meaning.  My membership in the Church has new dynamism.  I celebrate the Eucharist with new intention.  I preach with new purpose.  My theology fits into a new whole.  My Crosier consecration has new direction.  The pieces of the puzzle of my history know a new context.  I interpret all things human and Christian anew.   In the joys and struggles of my now concluding personal journey, I experience new calm.  

The Blessed Eschaton inspires me to keep my creative spirit renewed and refreshed, “sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ” (Phil 1:6).  The Blessed Eschaton is the story of each of us and all of us together in God.

But there is a darker side to my motivation to create this blog.  Some contemporary theologians have expressed the opinion that eschatology has weakened in the Church of our times.  I agree with them.   A loss of the sense of the Eschaton skews the meaning of the Christian faith and the mission of Christian life.  Blessed Eschaton is dedicated to eschatological renewal.