Revelation 22:13 “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.”

When Jesus says these words in the last chapter of the Bible, we could reasonably think of them as Scripture’s goodbye to us, stressing the centrality of Jesus in our lives, in the Church, and in the world. And they are his farewell.

Yet, at the core of the New Testament is the reality that Jesus is not alone; that’s because we are chosen in Christ before the foundation of the world; we, too, are the First (in him). Because we are “in Christ” in his humanity, so we, too, are the Last, as he is the Last Adam. Similarly, as we share in Christ’s resurrection, we also live with him in the Beginning of the Age to Come, which began at Easter. And since Jesus will come again to judge the living and the dead, we too will rise at the End.

All we are has been established in the covenant God made at the beginning of time. All we are is in Jesus Christ.

This is esoteric and abstract, hard to fathom, and hard to put into practice. Imagining any of this is difficult--for who among us, for example, existed before the foundation of the world?

I would encourage us not to fear the abstract and not to ignore the esoteric; Jesus is gentle in leading us toward treasures in the Scriptures that at first represent leaps of faith. Yet, these abstract truths are more real than the things we have experienced and the truths we have gleaned. It is clearly true—and certainly more important—that I share in Christ’s humanity as the Last Adam rather than focus on who I voted for. By concentrating on the everyday truths of our lives, we risk missing the potential for understanding the plan of God for us: sending His son Jesus into the world.

Here's a strategy: first, we can begin with quietly acknowledging the truthfulness of these abstract statements. Second, we can pray that God will plant them deeply into our minds. Third, we can look for other passages on the same subject. They’re out there, and Google can help. Fourth, we can ask someone their opinion. Finally, we can explain the concept to someone else—this can help crystallize our thinking.

Fr. Brian Lennstrom