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 such as those we heard 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, human behavior is unlikely to improve in the 900 plus years remaining in the current millennium. Discord plagued the early Christian community. It was prominent among Jesus’ first followers as well as those who came to believe in him after the resurrection. 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.
I worked at Dartmouth before I entered the Society. One of the popular song choices for the student Mass at the Dartmouth Catholic Student Center—one can hardly call it a hymn—was titled “Anthem.” It included the incredible claim:
“We are called, we are chosen, we are Christ for one another with a big guitar chord on CHRIST.
Called?: Yes
Chosen?: Probably
Christ for one another?:
Now way. At best an egocentric statement reflecting total ignorance of the meaning of Christ.
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 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, over-interpret, and misreadthe signs of the times to suit a particular agenda.
We all have traits of both. Complacency that we are called, chosen, and Christ-like 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 it.
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. The same can be said about the individuals making those prognostications. 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 persecutedsince 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 the answer:
“Be on your guard and pray
for you do not know
when the time will come.”
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| A monk on the way to vespers |
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