SATURDAY, December 12

Apocalyptic passages such as this have given rise to speculation among Christians who see the Bible as containing mere facts, often about the future. But symbolic language is notoriously hard to apply to the future, whereas its message for the present can be disturbingly clear. Discerning readers have always found in apocalyptic passages words to challenge the present.

Whether one person will appear in the end-times falsely claiming to be the Messiah need not concern us. But if the apocalyptic message is for the present, we must ask who among us today leads people astray by claiming to be our savior. Most would-be messiahs know better than to claim the title itself, for that would be an obvious blasphemy. But how often does someone claim to speak on God's behalf, to know and represent the truth, when in fact his vision of the truth is crimped? Or how often do we allow ourselves to be led astray by one who speaks with seeming authority but who lacks humility and grace, the marks of a true disciple, and whose message divides believers one from another? Look carefully at your messiah before you follow.

PRAY for the Diocese of Wiawso (West Africa)

Ps 30, 32 * 42, 43; Haggai 2:1-9; Revelation 3:1-6.