Thirty-Third Sunday In Ordinary Time, Year C, By Rev. Fr. Lucas Binnah Junior, C.S.Sp

First Reading: Malachi 4:1-2a (3:19-20) /Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 98:5-6.7-9ab.9cd (R. 9cd) Second Reading: II Thessalonians 3:7-12/Gospel Acclamation: Lk 21:28/Gospel: Luke 21:5-19

THEME: PERSEVERE, CHILD OF GOD!

With just a week remaining to bring the curtains down on the Church’s liturgical year, by which we celebrate the Solemnity of Christ the Universal King to conclude it, our attention is called to spare a thought for the last things. Be that as it may, the last things and the eschatological imageries in today’s readings should not be taken so much as the final end of the world. Rather, they must be understood in the context of ‘the end of sin and evil, of suffering, injustice, hatred, wickedness and all the antagonisms which are anti-life.’ These things will be wiped out and then usher in the era of new life where only good will exist. In fact, this started when Christ died on the Cross for us and rose from the dead as evidence of this new life. However, the full manifestation of this new life is still to come – already but not yet! It will be fulfilled completely at the end of history. Until then, we are encouraged to persevere, endure suffering, and keep faith, hope and love ever alive. This is what St. Peter means when he says: “What we are waiting for is what he promised: the new heavens and new earth, the place where righteousness will be at home. So then, my friends, while you are waiting, do your best to live lives without spot or stain so that he will find you at peace. Think of the Lord’s patience as your opportunity to be saved” (II Pet. 3:13- 14). Let us explore perseverance – what to do and how to prepare by turning to today’s readings!

In the first reading, the Prophet Malachi uses apocalyptic language to describe how the era of evil will come to an end. He says: “Behold, the day comes, burning like an oven, when all the arrogant and all evil doers will be stubble; the day that comes shall burn them up, says the Lord of hosts, so that it will leave them neither root nor branch” (Mal. 4:1). Let us hasten to notice what the Prophet quickly adds to the aforementioned: “But for you who fear my name, the sun of righteousness shall rise, with healing in its wings” (Mal. 4:2). So, clearly, he makes a distinction between the end of the era of evil and evil doers and the new season where only the good and good people will exist. Such righteous people will experience blessing, peace and joy. In this regard, the Psalmist acknowledges the justice of God and concurs, that evil doers will be punished while the righteous, rewarded. Unsurprisingly, he sings: “…the Lord comes to judge the earth. He will judge the world with justice, and the peoples with fairness” (Ps. 98:9).

In a similar way, in the Gospel, Jesus himself highlights the period when evil will be defeated and some clues about its characteristic features. Before we look at some of these features, let us note that, in a very special way, St. Luke interweaves in the Gospel passage, ideas about the Day of the Lord, the destruction of the Jerusalem temple and the Parousia (Second Coming of Christ). In this context, Jesus warns: “Take heed that you are not led astray; for many will come in my name saying, ‘I am he!’ and, ‘The time is at hand!’ do not go after them. And when you hear of wars and tumults, do not be terrified; for this must first take place, but the end will not be at once” (Lk. 21:8-9). There are some important points to note carefully and consider prayerfully:

• There will be deceivers and the deceived.

• The deceivers will come in the name of Jesus, and claim to be working for him, doing weird miracles in order to attract unsuspecting believers. They are wolves in sheep’s clothing! So, they will use religion to deceive people. Jesus’ message is “Do not go after them” (Lk. 21:8). We must watch out! The rate at which false prophets have arisen in our time calling themselves all sorts of names and behaving in all manner of ways on TV and radio, should be a clear writing on the wall! As Christians, we should not be in the habit of entering every so-called “prayer centre”. Such a name can be misleading! Such prophets feed on the flock.

•  There will be the era where people will make false prophecies, and the period is already at hand! They are the ones who say, the time is at hand and even go on to predict the death of some prominent peoples such as, presidents, musicians, religious leaders, etc; and what they mean to achieve is just to spread fear in order to attract people to themselves. Our Christian God is not a God who puts fear in his children. Rather, he encourages us to run away from sin and evil – twin towers of darkness – which puts us in the bondage of fear and the control of the devil. When we flee sin and evil, we have joy and peace of mind!

• Conflicts, wars and cosmic upheavals are another sign. Whether political or economic or religious or whatsoever nature it takes, conflicts are simply warning signs of the work of evil, greed and other vices at play. They may be at the level of the individual person, family, church, mosque, temple, shrine, society, politics, business, economics, etc. The trade wars, Russia-Ukraine war, nuclear proliferation, political domination, as well as, the corruption silently and blatantly going on in the world can only be denied by hypocrites! Again, natural disasters, diseases, famine and humankind’s destruction of the natural environment are all signs of the evil era we find ourselves (cf. Lk. 21:11). COVID-19 is still with us!

• Believers, just and holy people will be persecuted and hated. The rationale behind this assertion is that, evil will become the new-normal in society. Hence, one will be oppressed when they show loyalty to God and obey his commands. It calls for fidelity to the teachings of Jesus, the fight against corruption, perversion-seeking-legalisation, and the subtle use of money to impose evil culture. Even our own families and close friends may betray us. We will be hated and killed because we bear witness to the truth. Even at this, Jesus does not ask us to compromise, but to remain resolute, drawing strength from him. He assures us that he will give us words for our defence and wisdom for living, such that, “…none of (y)our adversaries will be able to withstand or contradict” (Lk. 21:15). We just have to endure to the end so as to win back our lives (cf. Lk. 21:19). We are never alone!

In the light of the aforementioned, we need to build patient endurance in the face of suffering. To do this, idleness must never be entertained. Rather, we must work hard in faith and in discipline. This is what the second reading imports for our reflection. Writing to the Thessalonians, among whom included those who just waited in idleness for the Parousia, St. Paul did not mince words to call such people to order! He says: “…we were not idle when we were with you, we did not eat any one’s bread without paying, but with toil and labour we worked night and day, that we might not burden any of you…If anyone will not work, let him not eat. For we hear that some of you are walking in idleness, mere busybodies, not doing any work. Now such persons we command and exhort in the Lord Jesus Christ to do their work in quietness and to earn their own living” (II Thess. 3:7, 10-12). Even though he was a trained Rabbi, St. Paul worked hard as a tent maker to earn his living (cf. Acts 18:1-4). There is dignity in honest labour and that has been the Christian teaching evidenced in the encyclical of Pope Leo XIII on capital and labour, Rerum Novarum (May 15, 1891). The Jews have this proverb: “he who does not teach his son a trade, teaches him how to steal.” Therefore, as Christians, we must not just value work, but also be conscientious, dutiful and efficient in our work. Every effort must be made in this regard!

If we are to bring back the hand of time in order to transport these Thessalonians in question to our own time, they may easily fit those who wait for manna to fall from above! They will be the people who shop from one prayer centre to another, yet are not ready to inculcate in their lives, the basic Christian culture of true devotion whereby daily personal prayer and hard work are inseparable; where virtue, good attitude and discipline are priority! Yet, this is not to ignore the fact that there are those with genuine needs, both spiritual and material, often incapacitated through no faults of theirs, and who we must help, for them to live a better life and achieve their dreams. Nonetheless, our support must be absolutely integral such that, it can help them become mature and independent. We can do so by meeting their immediate needs and then after, teach them how to fish rather than give them fish. Our help must not be destructive but constructive and holistic in the end.

Beloved in Christ, God is with us, so let us raise our heads in confident trust. Yet, the fact that he is with us does not mean we will not go through problems. Already, suffering is woven in the fabric of life, something we cannot question God the Creator. He himself even suffered through the death of Jesus Christ on the cross at the hands of men, his own creatures! In spite of this, he showed his ultimate and almighty power when he defeated death and evil and forgave the sins of men. We who believe are also conquerors in Jesus Christ and the earlier we understand this, the better! Jesus offers us not an easy way, but a way for heroes and heroines! He assures us of a security which surpasses the threats of death on earth: “But not a hair of your head will perish” (Lk. 21:18). Although the one who walks with Christ may lose their life, they can never ever lose their soul! We must be ready and prepared to carry our own crosses no matter how heavy they seem to be. There is light at the end of the tunnel. With God all things are possible, so, let us not give up! May God strengthen us so that we may not throw in the towel in the face of the suffering caused by sin and evil. May he also bring healing, restoration and protection to all who are wounded by greed, selfishness, tribalism and racism. Happy Sunday and may God bless us!

Remember to: #Persevere-Child-Of-God!#