33rd Sunday 2016

Mal 3:19-20A
2 Thes 3:7-12
Luke 21:5-19

I read this week’s passages on Wednesday morning, 11/10, the morning after the election. I must admit they seemed perfectly timed, as the election results indicated the end of the world to me. After studying these passages in more depth, I feel slightly rebuked for my upset over what I think is a national and global catastrophe. “The real heresy is the belief that the end is coming soon (1).” “Jesus has already said that the attempt to calculate the end is a waste of time. The signs he mentions can be observed in every age (2).”

While we can often recognize wickedness and sin against our fellow humans, the second reading reminds us that wickedness is broader than sins of commission. While some translate Paul to be referring to the “idle,” he uses the adverb ‘ataktos’ (disorderly) and verb ‘ataktein (to play truant) (3). In the Early Church, as well as in our society now, this refers to those who dis-order and disrupt the compassionate and mercy offered to those less fortunate.

The first reading tells us of the fiery furnace in which the wicked will perish and of the warm sun of justice for those who revere (fear) the Lord. “People wanted the Sinai covenant to be a prosperity gospel guaranteeing that each person would inevitably get ahead (4).” Reporters and pundits have ascertained that many who voted as they did, did so because they feel life is not improving and they are not prospering.

While not the end of the world, these election results leave us with much work to do. There is quantifiable data as to the increase of hate crimes targetting minorities and immigrants since the election. People have not gone from being ‘lovers’ to ‘haters’ overnight, however, the door has opened; hatred and intolerance have been invited in. After all, should we not allow others to operate within the same standards as we accept from a would-be president?

Jesus points out in the gospel persecution will take place before the end comes and we should expect it. As his disciples, we must protect and support the victims of this ‘state-sponsored hate.’ The Lord promises counsel and wisdom. He will provide the words we need to defend ourselves and others at a time when and in a manner in which they can be heard. They will effect change within hearts of stone.

Journal Questions:

While you may not feel the US election results indicate the end of time, how might Jesus’ words about the Second Coming inform your perceptions, beliefs and feelings about potential changes in the US and in the world?
Recall a time when you were or felt persecuted. Explain the situation, contrast your feelings looking back vs. how you remember feeling at the time, and discuss the conclusion or result.

References:
1-Interpreter’s One-Volume Commentary on the Bible. Abingdon Press, Nashville, Tennessee, 1971.
2- The Collegeville Bible Commentary, Old Testament. The Order of St. Benedict, Inc., Collegeville, Minnesota, 1992.
3- The Letters to Timothy, Titus and Philemon, Barclay, William. The Daily Study Bible Series, The Westminster Press, Philadelphia, 1975.
4- New Interpreter’s Bible One Volume Commentary. Abingdon Press, Nashville, Tennessee, 2010.

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