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Word To Life
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Sunday Scripture Readings, Nov. 14, 2010
By Sharon K. Perkins
Catholic News Service
November 14, Thirty-third Sunday of Ordinary Time
Cycle C Readings:
1) Malachi 3:19-20a
Psalm 98:5-9
2) 2 Thessalonians 3:7-12
Gospel: Luke 21:5-19
"Wars and insurrections ... powerful earthquakes, famines and plagues."
Sound familiar?
Jesus' words in this week's Gospel depict a scenario that could just as accurately describe many of the contemporary phenomena portrayed on our television screens and in our newspapers. The destruction of the World Trade Center towers on Sept. 11, 2001, and the Haitian earthquake in January 2010 are but two examples of these kinds of events. And Hollywood films -- I'm thinking of one I saw recently about the total destruction of the earth in 2012 -- use fantastic special effects to illustrate these phenomena at their most extreme.
By connecting the Gospel with present-day news reports, some people perceive these events and natural disasters to be a warning that the biblical "day of the Lord" must be very near indeed. They focus on doomsday prophecies with emotions ranging from anticipation to fear to panic, yet overlook the biblical promise of the "sun of justice with its healing rays" to those who fear the name of the Lord.
Jesus warns us not to be easily deceived by speculation but to seek the wisdom that comes from trusting in God.
Many Christians in the late first century had a similar problem. They expected the Lord to return any day. Based on this assumption, some even stopped working for their living and instead became "busybodies," causing unrest in the community and setting a bad example. The second reading reminds them -- and us -- that followers of Jesus are to persevere in works of justice and peace, even when it is difficult or unpopular to do so.
The practice of peace and justice in our relationships and our daily occupations doesn't lend itself to Hollywood special effects. It's hard, often unglamorous work that doesn't register on the Richter scale. But this -- and not a major earthquake -- is the unmistakable sign that the Lord has come.
QUESTIONS:
When disasters and unrest occur in the world, how do you usually respond to these reports? How do you engage in the daily practice of peace and justice?
SCRIPTURE TO BE ILLUSTRATED:
"By your perseverance you will secure your lives" (Luke 21:19).
END
Copyright © 2009 Catholic News Service/U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. The CNS Word To Life column may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed, including but not limited to such means as framing or any other digital copying or distribution method, in whole or in part without the prior written authority of Catholic News Service.
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