Thirty-Third Sunday in Ordinary Time Yr C 2022

Title

The Day of the Lord is Always Now

Outline

Chaos is always near us

I am not talking about last Tuesday’s election, for I wrote this on Tuesday

But irrespective of elections, we live in a culture that is crumbling. We could talk of economic crumbling, which strikes at mammon, or we could talk about the threat of war and loss of the American empire, which strikes at power, including Mars, or we could talk about the marginalization of the Church in which the Church is used or coopted rather than setting the ethical tone for society, at least in some areas. And then there is climate change, or, for millions of people, collapse (rooted in an ignoring of the Church’s biblical teaching on the role of humanity in relationship to God’s creation).

No wonder that even Catholic writers and bloggers are writing about “Antichrist” and “the Last Days.”

Yet our texts tell us that this is dual-edged

For some, Malachi’s “evildoers” “the day that is coming will set them on fire, leaving them neither root nor branch.” And we see that already, on the right and on the left, that people are already living in the fires of anger, hatred, broken relationships, shattered families - even as some of them talk about “family values.” (but not the values G. K. Chesterton wrote about.)

For some, hopefully us, “for you who fear my name, the sun of justice will arise with healing in its wings.” However, often that very sun will burn away the extraneous “stuff” in our lives as it rises.

That is why Paul could tell the Thessalonians to “imitate us” and speak of his life as being “in toil and drudgery, night and day we worked,” for he fulfilled his apostolate, but was also self-supporting, in part as an example to others. And he was rejected by many towns and cities (he could have said, “I’ve been tossed out of better towns than this” multiple times), abused, and otherwise maltreated, but kept letting that perfect him as he strained forward in hope towards the full heat of the sun.

And this is what Jesus was talking about

He was correct in that kingdoms have risen and fallen and there have been wars and rumors of war, earthquakes, famines, and plagues. There is many a beautiful basilica or cathedral or monastic house that has been plundered or bombed or the like and now lies in ruins. We cannot place our hope in nation or order or beautiful buildings.

He was correct that many have been hailed as the “savior” or deliverer or leader (including Hitler, Napoleon, and Stalin) - and that includes today: the billboard hailing Mr Trump as the “son of man” represents a movement in the a part of charismatic protestantism, but there are secular equivalents, and while what I have seen is on the right, it could just as easily appear on the left.

He was correct that there would be persecution of believers - not what is called persecution in the West, but prisons and sham trials and executions or torture (the whole sad story of history). And this included betrayal and/or rejection by family and friends. Sisters have processed chanting God’s praises to the guillotine. But he was also correct in saying, “not a hair on your head will be destroyed. By your perseverance you will secure your lives.” For those are the brothers and sisters who live real life now and who will rise to transformed embodied life when the world is set to rights.

Sisters, welcome to your place in Church history

Jesus is in another dimension, but is always returned to his Church in the Spirit - what is done to us is always what is done to him.

The USA will crash and fall, just like every empire before them, and the Church may well grow smaller and poorer, as Pope Benedict XVI predicted.

The time will come when Jesus says of history as we know it, “It is finished,” but in his timeless existence it is already finished.

We may live to see the end of the age, or we may be a footnote in more centuries of history.

But what we know for sure is that if we stay focused on Jesus that which burns up those who ignore him will purify and heal us, that which destroys the life of who do not think of Jesus will bring glorious life to us. And while we will indeed experience hardship and labor, it will be training for and accumulation of virtue for life in the divine presence.

The last days are indeed come; they started with the advent of Jesus and continue. Our duty is to embrace them and embrace him so that they are healing to us and so that we can draw others to him before they are engulfed.

Readings

Catholic Daily Readings 11-13-2022: Thirty-Third Sunday in Ordinary Time

FIRST READING

Malachi 3:19–20a

19 For the day is coming, blazing like an oven,

when all the arrogant and all evildoers will be stubble,

And the day that is coming will set them on fire,

leaving them neither root nor branch,

says the LORD of hosts.

20 But for you who fear my name, the sun of justice

will arise with healing in its wings;

And you will go out leaping like calves from the stall

Catholic Daily Readings 11-13-2022: Thirty-Third Sunday in Ordinary Time

RESPONSE

Psalm 98:9

9 Before the LORD who comes,

who comes to govern the earth,

To govern the world with justice

and the peoples with fairness.

PSALM

Psalm 98:5–9

5 Sing praise to the LORD with the lyre,

with the lyre and melodious song.

6 With trumpets and the sound of the horn

shout with joy to the King, the LORD.

7 Let the sea and what fills it resound,

the world and those who dwell there.

8 Let the rivers clap their hands,

the mountains shout with them for joy,

9 Before the LORD who comes,

who comes to govern the earth,

To govern the world with justice

and the peoples with fairness.

Catholic Daily Readings 11-13-2022: Thirty-Third Sunday in Ordinary Time

SECOND READING

2 Thessalonians 3:7–12

7 For you know how one must imitate us. For we did not act in a disorderly way among you, 8 nor did we eat food received free from anyone. On the contrary, in toil and drudgery, night and day we worked, so as not to burden any of you. 9 Not that we do not have the right. Rather, we wanted to present ourselves as a model for you, so that you might imitate us. 10 In fact, when we were with you, we instructed you that if anyone was unwilling to work, neither should that one eat. 11 We hear that some are conducting themselves among you in a disorderly way, by not keeping busy but minding the business of others. 12 Such people we instruct and urge in the Lord Jesus Christ to work quietly and to eat their own food.

Catholic Daily Readings 11-13-2022: Thirty-Third Sunday in Ordinary Time

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

Luke 21:28

28 But when these signs begin to happen, stand erect and raise your heads because your redemption is at hand.”

GOSPEL

Luke 21:5–19

5 While some people were speaking about how the temple was adorned with costly stones and votive offerings, he said, 6 “All that you see here—the days will come when there will not be left a stone upon another stone that will not be thrown down.”

7 Then they asked him, “Teacher, when will this happen? And what sign will there be when all these things are about to happen?” 8 He answered, “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! 9 When you hear of wars and insurrections, do not be terrified; for such things must happen first, but it will not immediately be the end.” 10 Then he said to them, “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. 11 There will be powerful earthquakes, famines, and plagues from place to place; and awesome sights and mighty signs will come from the sky.

12 “Before all this happens, however, they will seize and persecute you, they will hand you over to the synagogues and to prisons, and they will have you led before kings and governors because of my name. 13 It will lead to your giving testimony. 14 Remember, you are not to prepare your defense beforehand, 15 for I myself shall give you a wisdom in speaking that all your adversaries will be powerless to resist or refute. 16 You will even be handed over by parents, brothers, relatives, and friends, and they will put some of you to death. 17 You will be hated by all because of my name, 18 but not a hair on your head will be destroyed. 19 By your perseverance you will secure your lives.

Notes

Catholic Daily Readings 11-13-2022: Thirty-Third Sunday in Ordinary Time

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 2022 | ORDINARY TIME

THIRTY-THIRD SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

YEAR C | ROMAN MISSAL | LECTIONARY

First Reading Malachi 3:19–20a

Response Psalm 98:9

Psalm Psalm 98:5–9

Second Reading 2 Thessalonians 3:7–12

Gospel Acclamation Luke 21:28

Gospel Luke 21:5–19

GREEN