Memorial of Saint Martin of Tours, bishop
Today’s gospel passage from Luke is an interesting one that directs our attention toward the end of the liturgical year. It is only a few weeks until Advent begins, and the Catholic year begins with it. In the reading for today, Jesus is asked by the Pharisees about the timing of the Kingdom of God. Jesus’ answer is not very satisfying for the Pharisees. Nor is it completely clear to us who read it today. Jesus seems to be redirecting their attention from their concern, and we might interpret his comment that the “Kingdom of God is among you” (Lk 17:21) as meaning either that He is the kingdom or that his followers are the kingdom or that the kingdom lives in each one of them if they choose to embrace it. Each of these three interpretations has its own history within the tradition of the Church.
The passage from Luke continues with Jesus addressing his disciples about the end times, but it ends with Jesus noting that first the Son of Man, that is Jesus, will have to suffer and be rejected. This is obviously a foreshadowing of the passion and death that awaits Jesus. But it also is an indication of how different the truth might be from what the disciples expect. Just as the Pharisees expected the Kingdom to be dramatic and obvious, the disciples may be hoping for a profound triumph to mark Jesus’ life. The triumph of the cross, however, does not appear as an outright victory. Rather, for people of the time, Jesus’ death on the cross signaled his ultimate defeat.
For those who believe, however, the cross is a triumph, and perhaps this is why Jesus warned the disciples about what they should be expecting. For those who believe in Jesus’ resurrection will see that it changes everything. Jesus reigns from the cross, and his kingdom is not a conventional kingdom where people are forced to sacrifice for the kingdom. Jesus is the one who makes the ultimate sacrifice, and his life, death, and resurrection constitute an invitation to all of us who call ourselves members of this kingdom.
The change effected by this kingdom is beautifully manifested in the first reading taken from St. Paul’s letter to Philemon. This is a very short letter, but yet holds great meaning because of the letter’s courier, Onesimus. Onesimus was an escaped slave of Philemon, and Paul sends him back to Philemon. That Onesimus followed Paul’s directions to return is noteworthy in and of itself, but what is more profound is that Paul asks Philemon to accept Onesimus as more than a slave, but a brother and a partner. Onesimus is a Christian and a member of the Kingdom of God. Hence Philemon ought to love and accept him as such first and foremost.
This change in seeing the world is also illustrated nicely by the life of St. Martin of Tours, who we celebrate today. St. Martin was a bishop of the 4th century, and he lived in a time when Christianity often found itself in opposition to the traditional pagan religions of Europe. Martin recognized Christianity as distinct from these religions and he fought on its behalf. As we reflect on these readings today, let us commit ourselves, like St. Martin, to answering Jesus’ invitation. This invitation to participate fully in the Kingdom of God will not bring us the kind of earthly glory that we may desire. Rather, it will change our very lives, including the way that we regard others. Let us pray that we will be given the grace to live lives worthy of this kingdom.
Maria Morrow