Perseverance Secures Redemption

33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time: November 23, 2022

Readings: Malachi 3:19–20; Psalm 98:5–9; 2 Thessalonians 3:7–12; Luke 21:5–19

[Destruction of the Temple of Jerusalem by Francesco Hayez (1791-1882)]
To listen to my audio-video reflections via YouTube, please click here: https://youtu.be/b7VHF5Ea2L0 

Often we are worried not about the present but about the future. Even though we are unsure about our future, we put too much emphasis on it than on the present. When things do not go according to our plans and projects, we begin to doubt not only on our abilities but also God with whom we might have placed our petition for the success of our plan. The liturgical readings on the 33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time give us a very fascinating but also grim ideas about the future to those who follow our Lord as his authentic disciples. 

1. God’s plans have a future 

“Coming things” as they are called in Christian theology are often absurd, cruel and crazy.  These "end-of-time things" are of such nature, they bring even shiver in our spines because of the world that we live in. We might call this world egoistic, selfish, wicked, and evil. However, the world is also good, kind, generous, and gentle. Moreover, the absurdity of wickedness is taking too much of our energy and the good that we try to accomplish. 

Jesus in today’s Gospel reading (Luke 21:5–19) is giving some clear instructions to his disciples on how well they should plan their future. Jesus loved his disciples so much that he wanted them to be safe, strong, and men of great faith and hope. Jesus prepares them by instructing how they should plan their future course of action when things would be not in their favour. Jesus is not frightening them instead assuring them that his Spirit will always be there to guide them and to come out from the worst situations. Those who trust in the Lord will never be failed. Even if failures may be obvious from the point of view of standards of this world but from the point of view of God’s standard such things have no meaning. 

2. Jesus believes in planning 

If we look at the itinerary of Jesus, we will be surprised to know how well he planned his day-to-day activities. That’s why Jesus had time for everything - praying, teaching, healing, resting, walking, fishing, instructing, debating with Pharisees and scribes, and spending time with friends including joining big meals. Jesus is truly a time management guru in every sense of the word. This was seen by the productive working hours and the amount of good that was done within a short time of three years. Jesus indeed was a practical but productive time planner.

Jesus gives timely advice to his disciples on how to be prepared as the suffering and persecution would seem to be the litany of the life of his disciples. In a world of crookedness and jealousy, what matters to the disciples is their faithfulness to the original and authentic teachings of thier master Jesus. That’s why they have to give witness to him with all sincerity and honesty. 

3. Doing the work of Jesus ceaselessly 

Often the work that the disciples do will not be understood or tolerated by people including those who call themselves as protectors of the institutions that bear the name of Jesus. Jesus predicts the world will have wars, strife, revolutions, earthquakes, plagues, famines, and so many other dangerous uses of power (Luke 21:5–19). These are part of the world that we live in. But what is most dangerous is those people who put venom in the minds of people and destroy their peace and harmony in society. All the more these people are arrogant and nasty, who think about themselves and protect their empire of bigotry, boastfulness, and slothfulness. 

When the disciple of Jesus voices out his discontent, and critique of the empire, society, and institution he would be targeted left and right. In fact, not just those who are outside of the system but those who are inside the system would be the traitors and who would subjugate to harsh and cruel treatment. Therefore Jesus, in those critical and unpredictable moments would be at the side of his disciples with his Spirit of Wisdom and Counsel to speak boldly and rightly. Even when your trusted people including your relatives betray you, God will not forsake you. Hence, Jesus says "I myself shall give you an eloquence and a wisdom that none of your opponents will be able to resist or contradict" (Luke 21:15).  The history of the Church has this beautiful experience. From time to time God has spoken through the prophets of our time both those proclaimed and unproclaimed by the Church. God continues to speak through these people against unjust structures in our society. They critique our society with wisdom and knowledge. God continues to fight for the powerless, voiceless, and refugees of today. God is always active and never abandons his people. Because in God everything is possible. 

Questions for Reflection:

1. Who are those people who continue to inspire you in your struggle for justice and peace?
2. How do you feel about those prophets of our time? Do you support them or do you think that they are a nuisance in our society?
3. Have you tried to critique the unjust structures in our society or country, in our families, or our religious institutions and communities? 
4. What is the consolation that you receive when you hear the words of Jesus in today's Gospel? 

Prayer: 

    Gracious and loving Lord, we thank you and praise you for your gift of presence in our lives. We praise you Lord, for being so gracious in molding our lives so that we may listen to the whispers of your Spirit. Your Spirit Lord always is nurturing us with wisdom and truth, so that we may be fearless and powerful to do your Will. 

    Lord, when things do not go in our way, when our plans begin to crumble and we stumble upon failure after failure, give us the courage to be strong and not lose our faith and courage in you. For you, alone is our strength and life to see those difficult and indifferent questions our enemies pose to us. Protect us and guide us into your peace. We make this prayer in Jesus’ holy name, Amen. 

- Olvin Veigas, SJ

11 November 2022