The End is Near
Thirty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 159
The end is near.
Today marks the last Sunday of Ordinary Time for this year. Next week, we will celebrate the feast of Christ the King, and the end of the liturgical year. The following week will mark the first Sunday of Advent. As we approach the end of the liturgical year, the scriptures invite us to consider “the end”. Last week, we were challenged to consider the example of those willing to die for their faith. We were invited to renew our own hope in the resurrection.
This week, the scriptures invite us to consider how we look forward to the very end. Not just of our own lives, but of everything. The scriptures offer us answers to three important questions.
First, how should we feel about the Lord’s return?
Second, what do we do now?
Finally, what do we do when the end is near?
The first reading from Malachi helps us understand how God wants us to feel about the Lord’s return. We see that the same event is entirely different for two groups of people. For the proud, and for evildoers, who do not fear the Lord, the day of the Lord’s coming brings the fire of destruction. For those who fear the name of the Lord, the sun of justice rises, bringing healing.
Usually, fear is negative. We fear danger or punishment. Fear is something that makes us run away. The scriptures encourage us to fear the Lord in a different way. Fear of the Lord is a fear of being separated from God. Fear of the Lord comes from our love of God, and our respect for God. It comes from a desire to be with God. Regular, human fear makes us run away. Fear of the Lord makes us run to God.
We have all been proud. We have all sinned. But we have the blessing of understanding that the Lord loves us. We can run to the Lord. If we will run to the Lord today, then the Lord’s appearing at the end will be a day of joy for us. It will be a day when injustice is ended, and when all hurts and sorrows are healed.
None of the scriptures that talk about “the end” say when. God is not trying to hide anything from us, but to protect us from ourselves. Saint Paul is helping to answer the question, “what do we do now?”
There is a story behind the second reading. Some of the people to whom Saint Paul wrote thought they knew when Jesus was going to return. They were sure he was going to return very soon. So, they quit working. They didn’t plant fields, they didn’t work for a living. They just sat around living off those who were working, and waited for the end.
If we knew the hour of our death, or the day of the Lord’s return, we might be tempted to go down the wrong path. If we knew the day is near, we might be tempted to simply sit around and wait, as they did. Or, if we knew the day is far away, we might be tempted to try to sin today, but plan to repent before the end.
Instead, God wants us to work diligently. Not only to work to provide for our physical life, but also for our spiritual life.
Those who can work, should work, and even produce a surplus so we can help those who cannot work. Saint Paul says those who are unwilling to work should not eat. It is good and right to care for those who cannot work. But those who can work, should work. This is wise advice for both the natural and the spiritual life.
Who cannot work for their own spiritual good? The souls in Purgatory. We don’t know if those souls can pray for us. We do know that they cannot work for their own spiritual good. We, who are alive, should remember to work and pray both for our own spiritual good, and also for the souls in Purgatory. This month of November is almost at an end, but we should remember the dead always. Pray for them. Work for those who cannot. Do not forget them.
In the Gospel, Jesus prophesied the destruction of Jerusalem. He warned of all sorts of terrible things to come. That destruction happened in the year seventy, but his warnings were not just for that time. They are for us. So is his encouragement.
The end is coming, both for us individually, and for everyone and everything. We do not know when. Until the end comes, there will be turmoil. There will be spiritual turmoil – people offering paths to peace and salvation that deny Christ. There will be political turmoil – wars and civil unrest. There will be natural turmoil – earthquakes, famines, and plagues. There will be emotional turmoil – those we trust, and even love, will betray us.
How does Jesus say we should respond?
First, Jesus says…
“do not be deceived.”
Do not be deceived by people who offer a different gospel – a different truth – a different Jesus. There is no other answer. There is no other solution. The Jesus who was born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried, rose again on the third day, and is ascended into heaven – is the only answer. His gospel is the only solution. He is our only salvation.
How do we do this? How do we avoid being deceived?
Know our Lord.
Know him personally, through prayer. Know him through the scriptures. Know him through the consistent teachings of the church. Know him in the Eucharist.
Jesus also says…
“do not be terrified.”
Do not be terrified by terrible things in the world around us. Do not be terrified of wars. Do not be terrified of violence from neo-nazi or antifa. Do not be terrified of school shootings. Do not be terrified of the elections. Do not be terrified of earthquakes, famines, or of plagues. Do not be terrified of anything.
Yes, they are terrible. But we do not have to be terrified.
And how? Bring Jesus your worries and fears. Put your trust in him. We will have difficult times. They may be dramatic, or they may be ordinary. Jesus is enough for both.
So, then… the answer, as it so often is, boils down to faith, hope, and charity. Or, in this case, hope, charity, and faith.
How should we feel about the Lord’s return?
If we will flee to the Lord, we can look forward to his return with hope.
What do we do now?
We live our lives with charity, sharing our natural and spiritual goods with those in need.
What should we do if we see the end is near?
Have faith in our Lord, Jesus Christ.
As Samwise says,
“in the end, it’s only a passing thing, this Shadow… a new day will come, and when the sun shines, it will shine out the clearer.”
