HOPE FOR LIFE ETERNAL ~ CookingFood.Org

“SEEDS OF LIFE”

Sunday, 13th November 2016.

Thirty Third Week of Ordinary Time

Malachi 3:19-20;

Psalm 97:5-9;

2 Thessalonians3:7-12;

Luke 21:5-19.

HOPE FOR LIFE ETERNAL

Destruction, deception, wars, revolutions, earthquakes, plagues, famines, hatred, betrayal and persecution are the words which run through today’s Gospel. Seems terrible, isn’t it? You may begin to wonder, why Jesus is using so many cynical words all at once. Well we have this apocalyptic kind of reading today because we have now come very close to the end of the liturgical year. Therefore, the Church invites us to reflect on the final things or happenings at the end times. The Church here is not trying to intimidate us or spreading fright among us, rather it is trying to kindle hope in us and to prepare to face the glory of God.

The things that Jesus speaks about in today’s gospel are sure to happen, as many signs in this present world are already pointing indicators towards these happenings. However, the intention of Jesus is not to create fear of destruction and persecution but to tell people to get ready to face them with hope. Jesus presents this message of hope: “not a hair of your head will be lost. Your endurance will win you your lives.” But dear friends, are all these sufferings which Jesus is asking us to face are worth bearing? What will we win by losing our luxury, comfort and pleasure?

When we look at the great wonders of the world like pyramids in Egypt, Statue of liberty in the USA, TajMahal in India etc. they seem to us as if these structures will survive forever. The Jews at the time of Jesus thought similarly regarding the Jerusalem temple, Jesus however by prophesying about the destruction of it reminds them that even this temple which was considered by them as the dwelling place of God would meet annihilation. This prophecy of Jesus was indeed fulfilled when Romans destroyed the temple utterly in 70 AD. However, what Jesus wants to tell us is that whatever is material will pass away. Those who are born have to die, even to the extent that Jesus Himself (God) who took birth in the form of material body had to die. What is important for us is what comes after death: New life. And with the hope of this new life Jesus is asking us to face all the sufferings and persecutions, thus bearing his witness in this material world. So that on the day of judgement we may win the new life that Jesus promises us.

The first reading of today from prophet Malachi presents the scenario of the judgement day. It presents images of fire, furnace and torture which the evil doers are going to face. But like in today’s Gospel, the reading ends giving hope to all those who are righteous saying: “the sun of righteousness will shine out” on them.

Dear friends, we hear many times of the signs that are presented by Jesus in the Gospel. To specify one, we are well aware of the price people have been paying in many parts of the world just for being Christians. In the year 2015 there were 21 Coptic Christians beheaded because they did not give up their faith. In the video released of this heinous act, one among them shouted aloud the name of Jesus just before he was beheaded. Later when his family was interviewed by a news channel, the wife of this man said that she was not sad but rather proud of him. She said that “he took the name of Jesus, he died bearing witness to him and therefore I am sure that Jesus has given him new life.”

As we near the closing of the year of mercy next Sunday, today’s message calls us to prepare ourselves to live this year of mercy which we have celebrated forever. There are many people in the world or even around us who suffer a lot, who suffer persecutions, who face hatred and who have suffered from various calamities. How can we show mercy towards these brethren of ours? The best way to offer mercy to them would be by giving them the message of hope that the Word of God offers us today. .

Prayer: Lord Jesus, May I be a messenger of Hope to my brothers and sisters, especially those who are suffering. Amen