Reading I: Malachi 3:19-20a
Reading II: 2 Thessalonians 3:7-12
GOSPEL: Luke 21:5-19
The End is Near!
“The End is Near,” proclaimed the sketchy “news” site, as a collage of apocalyptic photos filled the page. If not for the poor reputation of the site, it might not be too hard to believe. Starving children, war-torn cities, fires, floods, disease… all real events. All real pictures. All happening right now. Maybe the “crazies” are right. Perhaps we are watching the events leading to the end of the world.
Or maybe not.
The Benefit of History
Just like when Jesus was preaching, the world still has no shortage of subjective and ill-informed opinions, but we do have more objective data to consider. We also have the benefit of a more accurate understanding of history; and that history shows an interesting picture when viewed from a “whole world” perspective.
Starving children, war-torn cities, fires, floods, disease – all these “apocalyptic” events – have been occurring time and time again, since the death of Jesus. In any given decade (at times, any given year), these events have been taking place in different places around the globe. Yes, every generation has had its prophets of doom, claiming that the end is near, but all of these “prophets” have been wrong.
In fact, Jesus warned us, “See that you not be deceived, for many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am he,’ and ‘The time has come.’ Do not follow them!” So we really don’t have anything to worry about, right?
No Excuse
“Well, boss… ya’ see… I didn’t come in to work last week because I thought the world was going to end. Coming to work just seemed kinda pointless, ya’ know?”
Yeah, sure… that’d work.
But what if you were right? What if the end really did come? What if the prophets of doom were correct this time around? Why bother doing anything except pray and wait?
“Well, Lord… ya’ see… I stopped preaching your word, helping others, and working diligently to improve this world because I knew it was going to end. Doing good works just seemed kinda pointless, ya’ know?”
Hmmm. Do you think that would work?
Not according to St. Paul or the Gospel of Luke. The readings for this Sunday make it very clear that, even near the end, we are to continue toiling and doing the Lord’s work. The basic premise is that we should keep on doing what is right, regardless of the circumstances. It’s a concept that we, as Christians, should be applying to other aspects of our lives as well.
The Finish Line
In America, we use a lot of sports metaphors, making comparisons to teams, teammates, coaches, practices, games, you name it. But one comparison I haven’t seen is comparing the end of a job to the end of a race. In fact, it seems like when we reach the end of anything other than a race, it’s human nature to simply coast. It’s like we see the proverbial “finish line” and just stop putting forth and effort at all.
Common attitudes are, “I’ve done my time” and “What difference does it make now?” Yet these are the attitudes that the readings warn us against.
Jesus’ message is clear: don’t listen when people claim it is the end. There are still things to do, and we must continue to keep the faith. We must struggle on through adversity, placing our trust in the Lord. Don’t fret, don’t worry, and don’t plan your exit strategy. Continue preaching, helping and working diligently, and God will protect you.
If Jesus had been a coach, he probably would’ve added, “It ain’t over ’til it’s over.” There is no excuse for stopping. Regardless of what you’re doing, keep plowing onward. Don’t coast the final stretch – roar across the finish line!
Life Applications:
What do you think about the “prophets of doom?”
Why do some people focus on the “end” of the old and not the “beginning” of the new?
At the end of something, how do you finish? Coasting or roaring?
Check out the REAL Word Podcast for the 33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time (Cycle C):
Original article by Brandon Jubar, 2001-2022.
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.