"Nation will rise against Nation . . . "
The Word: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/111322.cfm
Luke 21: 5 - 19
The end is near! The end is near! That may be the summary
of our readings this Sunday and those of the recent past Sunday’s. Now and then we actually hear of particular
self-proclaimed prophets of doom who warn us that the last days are coming at a
precise date and time of day. Some may
wait with bated breath, others may scoff, and many simply ignore such warnings
dismissing them as foolish. Even Jesus
in the Gospel today warns against false prophets who preach in his name: “Do
not follow them!” Always, it seems, the predicted day comes – and it goes with
nothing out of the ordinary happening and that particular person may simply be written
off and forgotten. It is an effort in
futility – or is it?
The unsettling imagery we hear in the readings today may
at least bring confusion to our present-day ears. We hear of the day coming, “blazing like an
oven”. . . that day that is coming will set them on fire . . . and in the
Gospel Jesus own words and warnings about the destruction of the Jerusalem
Temple and “wars and insurrections . . . Nation will rise against nation . . .
powerful earthquakes, famines and plagues . . . be handed over by parents,
relatives . . . put to death . . .hated by all . . .” Makes you want to simply
stay in bed with the covers over your head and hope it is nothing more than a
frightening nightmare! Yet, it must have pained Jesus to speak these words both
as the Son of God and as a faithful Jew.
Always this time of year as we approach Advent and the
beginning of a new liturgical year, we hear these readings with this ominous
end of time imagery. We may wonder, at least on some level, if the truth is
that God really may have this side of his personality – that is to frighten us
into obedience. I may likewise look at my life and easily find moments of worry
about many things related to family, health, safety, finances, or the future.
Jesus’ words to “be not afraid” would be welcome at this time.
Historically, what Luke describes in his Gospel as the
destruction of the sacred Temple of Jerusalem by the Romans had already taken
place in the year 70 A.D. Once
conquered, the Romans proudly confiscated the menorah, the sacred lamp stand,
from the Temple and carried it off triumphantly to Rome. Was this the end? That
Temple has never been rebuilt.
The citizens of Jerusalem who found themselves in the midst
of rubble and destruction would wonder where God went. While the Gospel
reflects the tough social realities under which the early Christians found
themselves, they could easily apply to us.
But truly these are words of encouragement towards the importance of
faithfulness in following the Lord.
Listen to the words of Malachi as today’s passage ends: “But for you who
fear my name, there will arise the sun of justice with its healing rays.”
The real take away for this Sunday, I think, is a great lesson
in the uselessness of worry. We would all love to wave the magic wand and have
all those who were raised in the faith but now no longer practice, to suddenly fill
the pews or to stop time and cease aging. Maybe even have a guarantee that we
will live in perfect health for at least 100 years. But such things that we worry about are
beyond our control.
So, the call of this time, then, is to be at peace and to
not fear. To trust in the end that no
matter what may come our way, we are called to do well. If we should worry about anything it might be
that I am so worried about things that I am doing nothing good or productive
either for others or for myself. That I may not carry out the work the Gospel
calls me to do. Rather, I must trust the words of Christ that if I am faithful
to the Gospel “not a hair of my head will be destroyed.”
I may find that I am grateful that God put me here in
this life, that he has given us the Holy Spirit, called us to a rich faith
community, his Body the Church, and given us many opportunities to live out the
Gospel in his service day by day and that he loves me more than I can imagine.
That he shares his living presence with us in the sacraments and in particular
the Holy Eucharist which is he - food for our journey through life. In other
words, carry on the work of the Gospel, do not be deterred by what may appear
the end of the road, but pick up and move forward in faithfulness.
Now, that’s good
news no matter what other forces may come my way. The best antidote to the illness of too much
worry is to do the opposite, the work of the Gospel. To let go of worry as
often as it rises and to rest in the Lord’s care. “Jesus, you take care of it.”
We all have the time and ability to live the Gospel out with joy and trust.
Grant us, we pray, O Lord our God,
the constant gladness of being devoted to you,
for it is full and lasting happiness
to serve with constancy the author of all that is good.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ,
your Son, who lives and reigns
with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God
forever and ever.
(Collect of Sunday)
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