I do not like this gospel reading. It takes me out of my comfort zone.
Jesus talks about wars and insurrections. Nations will fight to the death against nations. The earth will erupt with mighty quakes; there will be plagues and famine. He even predicts the destruction of the temple of Jerusalem, which symbolized God’s presence. For the people of the time of Jesus, the destruction of the temple meant the end of the world. It was this prediction that led to Jesus’ execution. Jesus states clearly that there will be rejection and persecution for those who believe and follow Him.
My question to you: has there ever been an age without such trials and turmoil? What century has not seen wars? What nation has not tried to bulldoze its way over others? When haven’t we been plagued by cancerous life or tossed around by mighty movements of earth and sea? Has there ever been a time when Christians were not ridiculed or rejected?
Once again, we are forced to confront how we can hold onto our belief in a loving God in the face of such evil.
Each of us must, with determination and courage, resist the temptation to live in fear because of these “end times” that the Lord speaks of in the gospel. While we must be cautious and reasonable, nevertheless, we are to go on living by building trust in Jesus.
The disciples asked, “When will the world end?” Jesus circumvented the question and simply responded, “See that you are not deceived.” Jesus warned the disciples that impostors would try to undermine their faith. He concludes by saying, “Do not be terrified. By your perseverance, you will secure your life.”
Jesus warned the people of His time to be aware of false securities. The same is true today as we conclude this liturgical year. Perhaps if we heard this gospel with the sun darkened, the moon not giving any light and stars falling from the sky, we might be much more attentive to Christ’s warnings. We have heard these warnings about the end of time too often to take them to heart. So, let’s dramatize what Jesus said with a story.
Once upon a time, there was a man who decided to return to church after a long absence.
He parked his brand-new late model car in the church parking lot and was getting out of his car on a dark, rainy fall night, when another parishioner hurriedly pulled next to him and emphatically said, “That is where I always park. You took my place.” The man got back into his car and parked it in another place. He thought to himself how rude and unfriendly the parishioner was, but said nothing and went inside the warm, comfortable and secure church.
The church was not crowded so he found an empty pew and knelt down. A woman walked up to him immediately and said, “That is where I always sit. You took my place.” The man was confused, because there were plenty of empty pews, but said nothing, and moved to a different pew.
Mass began. The lectors read with feeling and sincerity. The man listened patiently to the pastor’s dull sermon. He tithed 10% of his gross income and then got up and walked to the back of the Church, where a young family was about to bring up the offertory gifts of bread and wine. He joined them.
The parishioners all noticed him as he walked up the middle aisle, since he was a visitor and so elegantly dressed.
As the ordinary bread and wine were handed over to the priest, the stranger’s appearance began to change. His tailored Italian suit changed into a long, dirty, ragged robe; his polished black custom-made shoes gave way to brown sandals. Horrible scars became visible on his hands and on his feet. And blood began to trickle down his forehead where a crown of thorns rested.
The entire congregation was shocked, stunned and strained to see what was happening.
But then the stranger’s appearance began to change, again. Now he appeared to be standing on clouds. His filthy robe was becoming as white as fresh snow. The parishioners could not believe their eyes. They were looking at the true resurrected and glorified Christ.
Then this glorified Christ began to tell all the parishioners about the end of times.
There are two significant things that Christ said about the end times and His second coming. First, we will not know when the end will come. Secondly, we have been cautioned to be ready.
Scriptural warnings about the end times and second coming of Christ are the dominating theme as we approach the end of the liturgical Church year.
Is it an exaggeration to say that right now there is an insurrection, revolution and rebellion going on in our nation and throughout the world?
Our country is divided: Republican vs. Democrat, black vs. white, Hispanic vs. Anglo, rural vs. urban, old vs. young, college-educated and those without education. Divisions are over taxes, wages, immigration, healthcare, climate change and abortion. Divisions are also over racism, intolerance, immorality and the death penalty. The crisis we face is a broken political, social and religious system. We have had enough harsh and divisive language.
Fortunately, a closer reflection on the gospel does offer powerful hope. Jesus says that when you hear of wars and insurrection, “Do not be terrified. By your perseverance, you will secure your life.”
What are we as Catholics to do? Our church is in a unique place to heal the country. Our Catholic membership is diverse in political views, nationalities, economic status, education levels, men and women, the young and the old.
The Church needs to be the model of national reconciliation and compassion. Each of us must listen to one another, sensitively and fearlessly. And let’s focus on our areas of agreement.
The path to healing is for our Church to be what Pope Francis called, “A field hospital that cares for the wounded.”
What we must keep in mind is that we are to work for the common good. We cannot be like the people in the second reading who stopped working because they anticipated the end of the world.
It is not only our country that we must be concerned about, but we also need to be aware of the entire global world. I pray for our local community to stand in solidarity as a beacon of hope and compassion.
The countdown for the number of days you and I have left on this earth began on the day of our birth.
“Do not be terrified. By your perseverance, you will secure your life.”
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