Thirty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time
Three years back when I reflected on the reading we have today, the movie 2012 was just released. Based on the Mayan calendar, people were beginning to predict the end of the world on the winter solstice Dec 21, 2012. The movie was a blockbuster. Since we are only a few weeks away from the deadline, I decided to search the internet about the latest news about the prediction. Nevertheless to say, the website December212012.com still exists and it still has a clock counting down the days, hours, minutes and seconds. Surprisingly enough, on the same website you can also find a 72 hour survival kit. I am not sure why if the world is going to end I would need a survival kit but that is beside the point, right? For those who want hard core evidence about the end of the world, the NASA website also has something to say about the end of world. It states categorically that the world will not end on Dec 21st because there just enough any evidence to think otherwise. I really think that Jesus was smarter than both the doomsayers and NASA put together. He simply stayed away from predicting whether the world will or will not end or a particular day. I must agree with Jesus. I too, simply do not know. In fact, to focus on prediction of the end of the world is to simply miss the point of today’s readings.
I am suggesting that we understand today’s readings from the point of view of apocalyptic writings. Apocalyptic literature developed in the context of persecution. In the Old Testament, Israel experienced persecution from its more powerful neighbours the Babylonians, the Greeks and the Romans for centuries. It was in this context the apocalyptic literature first emerged in the book of Daniel. The fate of the early Christians was no different than the Israelites. For three hundred years they were persecuted. No wonder then that Apocalyptic thought found its way into Christian literature as well. The reading from Mark that we have today is called the “little apocalypse.” It was inspired by a rumor that the Roman Emperor Caligula was about to set up his statue in the main sanctuary of the Temple. Caligula also unleashed lethal persecution against the Christians. Persecution did not end with Caligula. During the later part of the Emperor Nero’s reign, there was another Jewish revolt and the Temple was completely destroyed in 70 AD. Nero burned Rome and put the blame on Christians. Hundreds of thousands were martyred during this persecution.
Let me offer the three practical implications for today.
1. In the apocalyptic understanding salvation comes in the darkest moment; things get increasingly worse until a new era that is totally new and strife-free emerges. This is precisely why I think that apocalyptic literature is a commentary on life. Today, we may not experience persecution but we still experience strife, sickness, financial difficulties, misunderstandings, violence, and war. Apocalyptic readings like we have today teach us to be hopeful even in our darkest moments. If we reflect on the history of the church and the suffering that the church endured; and if we reflect on the faith of the martyrs, the life of the saints, and the committed life of millions of Christians throughout the centuries, we realize that their faith and hope has not been in vain. We upon the foundation that was laid by past generations. I think the readings are telling us that no matter what our strife is, that God is with now and that God cares for us beyond now into eternity. I think God is speaking to one of us personally and as a community that we never lose hope.
2. Along with the hope that God offer us, we are also invited in today’s reading to be wise about life and the uncertainties it offers. My mind goes the recent hurricane ‘Sandy.’ Why did people choose to ignore warnings to evacuate? If only people would listen, so many fewer people would lose their lives. But, then why blame only them? Sometimes we can be like them as well. “Learn a lesson from the fig tree,” Jesus says. Daniel says, "But the wise shall shine brightly like the splendor of the firmament, and those who lead the many to justice shall be like the stars forever" (Dan 12:3 and ). One day our world will be no more, our nation will be no more, our bank accounts will be no more, and all the things we have collected will be no more. The only thing that is forever is God. Who then is the wise person? The wise person is the one who understands that even the most consistent laws of nature will fade. The wise person is the one who understand both the uncertainty of life, the hope that only God offers, and lives accordingly. A wise lives person lives his or life with this perspective deeply engrained in their spiritual and temporal life.
3. Apocalyptic literature can be pretty frightening if we consider the signs that accompany the end times. The book of Revelation for example is replete with images of beasts and dragons. However, the purpose of any of apocalyptic literature is not to beat people into submission but rather to encourage them to remain faithful in the midst of strife. The only people who have to be alarmed, frantic, frightful, and uncertain are the people whose lives are in disarray. The question that we must ask our self is simply this: if the world was to end on Dec 21, 2012, would I find myself ready. If we find ourselves ready, then we have nothing to fear. May we be a people who know the peace that comes from faith and hope in God.
The Eucharist is like time-capsule. On the one hand this Eucharist stands for the faith of those that have gone before us. But this Eucharist also stands for what is in store for us. Looking behind with faith and looking forward in hope, may our life be a witness to what God has done for us and what God has in store for us. Amen.
- Fr. Satish Joseph