Mal 3:19-20a
Ps 98:5-6,7-8,9
2 Thes 3:7-12
Lk 21:5-19
It is consoling to hear stories of discord and bad behavior in the early Christian communities, stories such as those described in the second reading. It is consoling because it confirms that human behavior has not changed for the better or the worse over the past two millennia. Given that consistency in human behavior it is unlikely to improve in the 977 years remaining in this millennium.
Discord plagued the early Christian community. It was prominent among Jesus’ first followers and those who came to believe in him after the crucifixion. Thus, the answer to “what can we expect from humanity?” requires only two words: not much.
We are sinners. Sinners loved by God to be sure but sinners nonetheless. We simply refuse to admit or acknowledge the fact in our prayer or music. Before I entered the Society one of the popular songs for the student Mass at Dartmouth—one can hardly call it a hymn—was titled “Anthem.” It included the incredible claim: We are called, we are chosen, we are Christ—big guitar chord on CHRIST—for one another.
Called?: Yes
Chosen?: Perhaps
Christ for one another?: Egocentric heresy.
If anything we are the Thessalonians for one another: fundamentally lazy, preferring the work of busybodies, complacent, and self-satisfied. That is hardly Christ-for-one-another-like behavior as claimed in that ghastly song.
One interpreter suggests that the Thessalonians’ behavior was explained by the fact that they assumed the apocalypse was just over the horizon. Why work? The end is near. The apocalypse has been a coming attraction for a long time now, actually since Jesus walked the earth. It ain’t here yet.
The readings from Malachi and Luke’s Gospel feature apocalyptic images of
fire, catastrophe and discord that are beloved of those on the opposite end of the spectrum from the self-infatuated “we are Christ for one another” types. These are the rigid literalists who read scripture the same way they read a cookbook.
They interpret and over-interpret—and misread—the signs of the times to suit a particular agenda.
We all have traits of both. Complacency that we are called, chosen, and Christ-like for others, while we fear the end with all that is in us and try to control that fear by writing the script for how we will prevent that end.
Though it is not mentioned I think that there was an edge of frustration and irritation in Jesus’ voice as He spoke to the people. Even at this late stage in his ministry, they didn’t get it. They wanted specific facts: When will the Kingdom of God arrive? Where will it arrive? How will we be able to tell it has arrived? And they are willing to follow any charlatan who claims to know the unknowable answers.
Remember when the year 2000 hit? Many religiously-based prognostications
were bizarre at best and oftentimes delusional; as were the individuals making them. People clung to the words of self-appointed evangelists and soothsayers.
Given the Gospel reading this did not represent novel behavior. It was perfect example of same old, same old.
Jesus cautions us against chasing after those who are pushing an agenda. The take-home message from this Gospel passage might be that the degree of skepticism toward claims about the arrival of the Kingdom of God should be directly proportional to the certainty and detail with which those claims are put forth.
What Jesus described in the Gospel is a description of both what is to come and the times in which we are living. Indeed, these are the times in which people have lived since He proclaimed these words. Natural disaster, war, discord within the community and within the family are facts of human life. Those who follow Jesus have been persecuted—and have persecuted—since the crucifixion. That will not change.
The first reading in today’s office of readings is from Joel. It too is full of apocalyptic imagery: blood, fire, and columns of smoke, a sun turned to darkness
and a moon turned to blood, “At the coming of the day of the Lord, the great and terrible day.” What are we to do?
The responsory from the breviary gives an answer: “Be on your guard and pray for you do not know when the time will come.”
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Photos are from the Church of St. Casimir in Vilnius, Lithuania. Built in the early 17th century it has had a number of iterations haveing been taken over by the Orthodox, the Lutherans, the Commies, and ultimately being used as the museum of atheism (?!?). It was returned to the Society of Jesus in 1991.
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