Thirty Third Sunday of the Year (C) 17 November 2013

Thirty Third Sunday of the Year (C)

                                    17 November 2013

 Luke 21, 5 to 19

Some of his disciples were remarking about how the temple was adorned with beautiful stones and with gifts dedicated to God. But Jesus said:  “As for what you see here, the time will come when not one stone will be left on another; every one of them will be thrown down.”  “Teacher,” they asked, “when will these things happen? And what will be the sign that they are about to take place?” He replied: “Watch out that you are not deceived. For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am he,’ and, ‘The time is near.’ Do not follow them.

 When you hear of wars and revolutions, do not be frightened. These things must happen first, but the end will not come right away.” Then he said to them: “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom.  There will be great earthquakes, famines and pestilences in various places, and fearful events and great signs from heaven.

Times of crisis

José Antonio Pagola

The Gospels put together some texts of an apocalyptic type in which it is not easy to tell apart the message that can be attributed to Jesus and the preoccupations of the early Christian communities. For they were involved in tragic situations while they awaited the end of the times with anxiety and in the midst of persecutions.

   According to the account of Luke, difficult times do not have to be times of weeping and discouragement. Neither are they times for resignation or flight. Jesus thinks differently. It is precisely in times of crisis that “you will have occasion to give witness”. It is then that we are offered the best chance to bear witness to Jesus and to his project.

   It is already five years since we have been suffering through a crisis that has hit many hard. What has happened during this time already allows us to know realistically the social damage and the suffering it is causing. Isn’t it time for us to reflect on how we have been reacting?

   Perhaps, we must first of all profoundly revise our attitude: have we taken a responsible stance by becoming aware of a basic sense of solidarity, or are we living with our backs turned on all that can disturb our tranquility?  What are we doing from within our Christian groups and communities? Have we drawn up a generous plan of action or are we celebrating our faith on the margins of all that is happening beyond them?

   The crisis is opening up an unjust social divide between those who can live without fear of the future and those who remain excluded from society and deprived of an honorable solution.  Do we not feel the call to introduce some cutbacks in our lifestyle in order to live the coming years more soberly with a sense of solidarity?  

We gradually come to know more closely those who remain more helpless and without resources (families with no income, those unemployed for a long time, immigrants fallen sick…).  Are we concerned enough to open our eyes to see if we can commit ourselves to alleviating the situation of some of them? Can we think of some realistic initiative Christian communities can undertake?

   We must not forget that the crisis not only creates material poverty. It causes, besides, insecurity, fear, helplessness and the experience of having failed. It destroys projects, ruins families, kills hope. Do we not have to recover the importance of help within family groups, support among neighbors, the welcoming and continued care on the part of the Christian community? There is little more noble during these times than to learn to care for each other.

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Vally D'Souza sj