Mass Symbolism

I've been reading up a bit about how the mass parallels the book of Revelation and how mass is heaven brought to earth. There are so many references to the Old and New Testament that I could spend forever trying to find them. What I think some people often miss is that the book of Revelation is not just God's will fulfilled. It is our grace renewed. Did you know the place John describes as heaven is just like the garden of Eden? And this "garden" is now opened to us? Did you know that every time you attend mass you are getting married?

Garden of Eden




"The tree of life was also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of knowledge of good and evil." - Genesis 2:9

"So he drove out the man: and He placed cherubim at the east of the garden of Eden, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to guard the way to the tree of life." - Genesis 3:24

I think what is often missed is that the tree of knowledge was not the only tree in the garden. There was also the tree of life. The tree of life was, for Adam and Eve, their source of everlasting life. God only prevented them from eating from the tree of knowledge. The tree of life is actually symbolized in the book of Revelation. It does not go out and say "this is the tree of life". I will explain more later, but the description is parallel to the tree.

I also noted the cherubim that were placed to guard the entrance to the garden and the flaming sword guarding the tree of life. These are also referenced in the book of Revelation.

A Garden Before the Throne


"He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God." Revelation 2:7


"Before the throne there was a sea of glass, like crystal. And in the midst of the throne, and around the throne, were four living creatures full of eyes in front in back." -Revelation 4:6

"And I saw in the right hand of Him who sat on the throne a scroll written inside and on the back, sealed with seven seals." -Revelation 5:1

The first quote makes a direct reference to the tree of life. The Spirit is telling the early churches that those who overcome the earthly trials have the right to eat from the tree, which is with God.

Okay here is where the symbolism gets tricky. Imagine God on the throne as a tree. His right arm is a branch. And in his right hand is the fruit of life. Look at the third quote. The scroll with the seven seals is the fruit of life. The scroll is the word of God, the new source for life. The only person deemed worthy to unseal God's word was Jesus. Jesus was given responsibility over our source of life by His father.

The four living creatures with a bunch of eyes on them are cherubim. They are seen dwelling "among the throne, and around the throne". If you look back to the quotes about the garden you will notice that God placed cherubim at the entrance to the garden as guards.

Four Cherubim

The flaming sword is a little more tricky. In Hebrew it can mean a supernatural weapon that brings forth destruction. It is seen guarding every way of the tree of life.  There is no mention of a "flaming sword" in the book of Revelation, however there are many references to god sending forth fire (see Lev 10:1, Num 11:1, Num 16:35).

So here we have Cherubim and the throne of God and between them is a garden described as a sea of glass.

"And I saw what looked like a sea of glass mixed with fire and, standing on the glass sea, those who had been victorious over the beast and his image and the number of his name. They held harps given to them by God." -Revelation 15:2

So here it is; victors of God standing in the garden before God's throne, the same place Jesus stood as a slain lamb.

God Got Divorced


Let me make that more clear. When Adam betrayed Him, God essentially divorced with man. He cut man off from His grace.

This is what Jesus did; He got married to us again.  Let me begin explaining this with a video:

By accepting the cup of his new covenant we are saying "I do!" Mass is then like a vow renewal.
We are drinking from the cup of his blood and partaking in his body. We are saying "I do" while uniting with him physically and emotionally. Sound a lot like a relationship between husband and wife? It is. Marriage between a man and woman is symbolic of this relationship. That is, Christ's marriage to the church.

That is why in marriage, a man's role is like God's while a woman's role is like the church. One willingly submits out of love while the other leads out of love.

So the mass is like the doorway opened up to heaven. We are renewing our vows as we prepare for the marriage ceremony. Our marriage altar is in the garden. We will stand before God's throne, be united with Christ and eat from the tree of life (excluding the harps hopefully).

Four Things I wish I Could Tell My Younger Self

Four Things I Wish I Knew

1. You are not alone. In fact, there is a man who died for you.

He took your sins to the grave and even now shoulders the weight of your burdens. All you have to do is let him. Your body was made for more than just you. It is a tent for two and it houses your spirit and also His. Face it; there are things you just can't do. But, He can. Invite him into your tent. Give him control. He is your general who draws up the battle plans for your life. You only have to humble yourself. This man is God. You can't be God. But, He can. He lives through you, but only if you're willing.

2. No one on Earth will ever fill that space in your heart

That space is reserved for God. A girl is not that big and she probably won't fill the seat. God will. It seems weird right? You can't fall in love with an asexual being. That is where you are mistaken. Love is not an outcome of sex. Don't fret though. God leaves room for another person in your heart.  Even though he is enough.

3. Don't let other people shape your reality


What I mean is, don't give in to peer pressure. I found the best you is the one modeled in Christ and not by everyone else. You may think religion is full of it and you could be right. Remember that religion is an outcome from man. Men are not perfect. Christ is perfect. Don't judge anything until you try it. And things like sex, smoking and partying don't make you cool. They don't liberate you or make you a man. If anything, not needing that stuff is even more liberating.


4. Don't let your lack of love today keep you from loving tomorrow

Life can be hard. Believe me, I know. You try to keep up with school and friends, try to live up to the expectations of your parents and try to live up to your own expectations. Still, you will find that you always come up short. And that life becomes more about "me" and less about everyone else. None of the yesterdays matter. Take your daily bread as it is. Life is too short to worry about what couldn't be done or just how obsolete you think you are. Christ thinks you're perfect. There will be people you love who reject you. Don't let that dictate your life. Instead of thinking about how alone you are today, think about how much more you can love tomorrow.