33rd Sunday - "Keep calm and carry on"

 

"Nation will rise against nation and kingdom against kingdom"

Luke 21:5-19

The Word: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/111625.cfm

During the second World War the British Government launched a simple slogan: “Keep Calm and Carry on.”

It was meant to encourage people, while bombs fell over their cities. The message was obvious, don't give in to fear, be courageous, stay faithful and stay steady. The fact that the British Royal family stayed in London during the bombing rather than seeking safety away from the city, gave people all the more security in their words.  

In many ways, today’s Gospel as we quickly approach the end of the liturgical year, has Jesus giving similar advice.  No doubt the Gospel is disturbing.  The images of “days blazing like an oven,” which we hear in the first reading of the prophet Malachi. About “wars and insurrections, famines, plagues, natural disasters, and mighty signs coming from the sky,” in the Gospel, the thought may be to run for cover and hope that you stay safe.  Yet, Jesus tells us to “keep calm and carry on.”

Not only that but Jesus warns of 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 naive.  Jesus advises, “Do not follow them!”

The disturbing imagery we hear in the readings today may at least bring confusion to our present-day ears. This doesn't sound like the good news that Jesus is expected to preach. As our Lord, is predicting the future destruction of the sacred Temple in Jerusalem, it must have pained him to speak these words both as the Son of God and as a faithful Jew.

Historically, what Luke describes in his Gospel as the destruction of the sacred Temple of Jerusalem by the Romans would indeed take 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? For the Jewish people, it certainly seemed it was. That God had completely abandoned his chosen people and they were left with a destroyed nation. 

Yet, it is not the end as such but rather the beginning of something new. Something greater, a new “Temple” in the person of Jesus’ own risen body and a new way of seeing God and our relationship to him. The old order is passing away and a new order begins so keep calm and carry on. 

The natural order of things would tell us that transition times are not always clean and easy.  In fact to uproot the old and plant the new can be a messy business. Think of natures own process or the universe and the powers of creation - new stars, new planets, the change of seasons. Rooting out a sinful and unhealthy habit or addiction and replacing it with something virtuous and healthy. 

The words of Malichi provide a hopeful message in the end: for those who remain faithful.  “But for you who fear my name, there will arise the sun of justice with its healing rays.” The healing rays of a renewed faith and a new hope in God through his Son, who will rule the world with justice.

It indicates for us a kind of upheaval coming, a profound change in the order of things and a new beginning, a new kingdom being established.  Who is the King? Christ himself who will overturn the expectations of the old order to establish a new order of things with Christ who will be he will be Savior of all.  The source of all that is good and right.  

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. In the end, it is not so much what and when the Lord, will return but rather most importantly, when he comes what will he find us doing? Living out the Gospel and the way in which God has called me through my way of life as a faithful Christian, or one living in fear and doubt doing what I desire rather than making the Lord the center of my life which takes away fear. 

 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 keep calm and carry on the mission of the Gospel. 

 Grant us 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, for ever and ever.

(Collect of Sunday: Roman Missal)