As we are careening towards the end of the liturgical year, our readings look towards the end times. The first reading, the Prophet Malachi warns that the proud and evildoers will be set on fire and turned to stubble! The same prophet also warns doom and destruction to those who turn their backs on widows, orphans and aliens and those who refuse to pay a just wage to their workers. And while it all sounds like bad news, he also says that the sun of justice will arise with “healing rays” for those who fear the Lord.
In the Gospel, Jesus clearly tells his disciples that it will not be easy for them…nor for us! Jesus tells them that they need to be prepared because some of them will be hated and handed over and some put to death, all because of his name! But he will secure them! And he said to them that by perseverance they would secure their lives! So, Jesus tells the disciples that they have an active role to play…they have to preserver in the struggle of their discipleship and their proclamation of the Good News! Jesus makes it clear that it is no easy thing to be a disciple! The costs are great…even one’s life may be demanded of them!
He warns of hard times to come, and we now live in hard times: wars and civil unrest rage, tyrants rule with iron fists and cruel hearts bent on building up their personal wealth at the cost of their people’s welfare and very lives.
Here, we worry about food insecurity, access to healthcare and affordable housing in one of the richest countries in the world…1 out of 5 children go to bed hungry, and so very many of our elected politicians seem not to care at all, only interested in pet projects that keep them in office.
All of these readings that tell of the evils that will befall the nations in the end times are meant as a warning, telling us to be on guard against greed and cruelty and lack of love of neighbor. But they also tell of the sun of justice coming with it healing rays.
Jesus promises to be with us until the end of time, never leaving us abandoned. So in the midst of all the suffering and chaos this is hope that comes to us through our faith in God’s desire that we continue to build up the Reign of God…by living our discipleship through our words and actions in our daily lives; by who and what we stand with and who and what we stand against; by choosing kindness and compassion over cruelty and hate.
Sacred scripture tells us that in the end, God’s ways always prevails, and we are not alone in the struggle for what is good and right and just, for the Holy Spirit dwells within each one of us and guides us and guards us as we move forward.
Fr. Tim
In the Gospel, Jesus clearly tells his disciples that it will not be easy for them…nor for us! Jesus tells them that they need to be prepared because some of them will be hated and handed over and some put to death, all because of his name! But he will secure them! And he said to them that by perseverance they would secure their lives! So, Jesus tells the disciples that they have an active role to play…they have to preserver in the struggle of their discipleship and their proclamation of the Good News! Jesus makes it clear that it is no easy thing to be a disciple! The costs are great…even one’s life may be demanded of them!
He warns of hard times to come, and we now live in hard times: wars and civil unrest rage, tyrants rule with iron fists and cruel hearts bent on building up their personal wealth at the cost of their people’s welfare and very lives.
Here, we worry about food insecurity, access to healthcare and affordable housing in one of the richest countries in the world…1 out of 5 children go to bed hungry, and so very many of our elected politicians seem not to care at all, only interested in pet projects that keep them in office.
All of these readings that tell of the evils that will befall the nations in the end times are meant as a warning, telling us to be on guard against greed and cruelty and lack of love of neighbor. But they also tell of the sun of justice coming with it healing rays.
Jesus promises to be with us until the end of time, never leaving us abandoned. So in the midst of all the suffering and chaos this is hope that comes to us through our faith in God’s desire that we continue to build up the Reign of God…by living our discipleship through our words and actions in our daily lives; by who and what we stand with and who and what we stand against; by choosing kindness and compassion over cruelty and hate.
Sacred scripture tells us that in the end, God’s ways always prevails, and we are not alone in the struggle for what is good and right and just, for the Holy Spirit dwells within each one of us and guides us and guards us as we move forward.
Fr. Tim
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