MALACHI 3: 19-20
PSALM 97: 5-9
2 THESSALONIANS 3: 7-12
LUKE 21: 5-19
As we come to the end of the church calendar, the readings have an apocalyptic dimension. There has always been a great interest in when the end time will come. We too today have our share of doomsday prophets. The problem with such prophets today is that the message they preach is one of fear that paralyses people. How often have we seen such attitude end in disaster?
This is far from the purpose of the apocalyptic writings in the Bible. The apocalyptic writing is not to make people fearful but to give them hope in time of great suffering and persecution.
Today’s Gospel foretells the destruction of the temple of Jerusalem and hardships to come. These things will happen but through it all, Jesus calls us to be his witnesses, a people of faith, hope and love……He will be with us. The main purpose of this Gospel was to strengthen their faith when it is tested.
St. Paul was writing to a people in Thessalonica who thought that Jesus’ Second Coming was very close at hand. Some Thessalonians felt that, as this was the case, it was no longer necessary to work. St Paul condemned their life of idleness.
In a true story, Dan Poling spoke of his last conversation to his son, Clark before his son reported back to the army transport ship that was to carry him to his death in WW 2. Clark Poling was one of the four chaplains on the Dorchester that was sunk in 1943. As their father-son chat came to a close, Clark said, “Dad, remember me as I return to my post of duty.”
Dan Poling replied, “Son, I’ll pray every day that God will bring you back home without a scratch.” Clark, the young chaplain said, “Dad, please don’t pray that way. I want you to pray that I will be adequate for any situation.”
When last seen by those who survived this terrible ordeal, Rev Clark Poling was standing on the deck of the sinking ship with three other chaplains, giving their life jackets to enlisted men. All four chaplains went down with the ship.
The Christian disciple does not worry about when the end time will be in the future but about how we are living our faith in the present time.
Our Christian duty is not to calculate when the end time is; our Christian duty is to be a people of hope.
Merredin Catholic Parish 