The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today challenge us to contemplate our preparedness for the end time in the light of the life we are called to live by the Spirit of God.
The reading from the Second Letter of John seeks Truth and Love in the community.
* [4] Some of your children: this refers to those whom the Presbyter has recently encountered, but it may also indicate the presence of false doctrine in the community: the Presbyter encourages those who have remained faithful. Walking in the truth: an expression used in the Johannine writings to describe a way of living in which the Christian faith is visibly expressed; cf. 1 Jn 1:6–7; 2:6, 11; 3 Jn 3.
* [6] His commandments: cf. 1 Jn 3:23; 2:7–8; 4:21; obedience to the commandment of faith and love includes all others.
* [7] The antichrist: see 1 Jn 2:18–19, 22; 4:3.
* [8] You (plural): it is not certain whether this means the Christians addressed or includes the Presbyter, since some of the ancient Greek manuscripts and Greek Fathers have “we.”
* [9] Anyone who is so “progressive”: literally, “Anyone who goes ahead.” Some gnostic groups held the doctrine of the Christ come in the flesh to be a first step in belief, which the more advanced and spiritual believer surpassed and abandoned in his knowledge of the spiritual Christ. The author affirms that fellowship with God may be gained only by holding to the complete doctrine of Jesus Christ (1 Jn 2:22–23; 4:2; 5:5–6). (2 John, THE SECOND LETTER OF JOHN, n.d.)
Psalm 119 praises the Glories of God’s Law.
* [Psalm 119] This Psalm, the longest by far in the Psalter, praises God for giving such splendid laws and instruction for people to live by. The author glorifies and thanks God for the Torah, prays for protection from sinners enraged by others’ fidelity to the law, laments the cost of obedience, delights in the law’s consolations, begs for wisdom to understand the precepts, and asks for the rewards of keeping them. (Psalms, PSALM 119, n.d.)
In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus describes the Day of the Son of Man.
* [17:20–37] To the question of the Pharisees about the time of the coming of God’s kingdom, Jesus replies that the kingdom is among you (Lk 17:20–21). The emphasis has thus been shifted from an imminent observable coming of the kingdom to something that is already present in Jesus’ preaching and healing ministry. Luke has also appended further traditional sayings of Jesus about the unpredictable suddenness of the day of the Son of Man, and assures his readers that in spite of the delay of that day (Lk 12:45), it will bring judgment unexpectedly on those who do not continue to be vigilant.
* [17:21] Among you: the Greek preposition translated as among can also be translated as “within.” In the light of other statements in Luke’s gospel about the presence of the kingdom (see Lk 10:9, 11; 11:20) “among” is to be preferred.
* [17:36] The inclusion of Lk 17:36, “There will be two men in the field; one will be taken, the other left behind,” in some Western manuscripts appears to be a scribal assimilation to Mt 24:40. (Luke, CHAPTER 17, n.d.)
Eileen Burke-Sullivan comments that in today’s Gospel we hear Jesus warn us that we do not know the day or the hour that we will face the end of this stage of our lives. We do not know what calamity may strike us or someone we love at any moment, we do not know if or when our material wealth, the political stability of our nation, the institution we serve or the community or family we belong to will be suddenly destroyed. We only know that these things will happen, not when.
Pondering or praying with these two texts we might feel a dark spirit of fear. We might be touched with the grace of repentance. Clearly Jesus hopes we will hear His compelling call to attend to the Kingdom of love and mercy first and foremost, and to be willing to leave all else entirely in God’s hands.
In these early days of November, on the 11th day of the 11th month of the year – we are called by Christ to recognize the end times are always upon us. I ask myself the question frequently these days: am I ready to encounter Jesus face-to-face, and if so, will he be holding a gift that I have given someone less privileged than I out of compassion as Martin met him. If not, I may only have today to make that possible, with God’s mercy. (Burke, n.d.)
Don Schwager quotes “Those working in the field are sowing the Word of God,” by Ambrose of Milan, 339-397 A.D.
"'He that will be on the housetop, do not let him go down. He that will be in the field, do not let him turn back.' How may I understand what is the field unless Jesus himself teaches me? He says, 'No one putting his hand to the plough (plow) and looking back is fit for the kingdom of God' (Luke 9:62). The lazy person sits in the farmhouse, but the industrious person plants in the field. The weak are at the fireplace, but the strong are at the plough. The smell of a field is good, because the smell of Jacob is the smell of a full field (Genesis 27:27). A field is full of flowers. It is full of different fruits. Plough your field if you want to be sent to the kingdom of God. Let your field flower, fruitful with good rewards. Let there be a fruitful vine on the sides of your house and young olive plants around your table (Psalm 127:3). Already aware of its fertility, let your soul, sown with the Word of God and tilled by spiritual farming, say to Christ, 'Come, my brother, let us go out into the field' (Song of Solomon 7:11). Let him reply, 'I have come into my garden, my sister, my bride. I have gathered my vintage of myrrh' (Song of Solomon 5:1). What is better than the vintage of faith, by which the fruit of the resurrection is stored and the spring of eternal rejoicing is watered?" (excerpt from EXPOSITION OF THE GOSPEL OF LUKE 8.43.27) (Schwager, n.d.)
The Word Among Us Meditation on Luke 17:26-3 comments that we are approaching the end of the liturgical year, and during this time, the Church chooses Scripture readings that likewise move us to stop and take stock. That’s why we read passages like today’s description of the “days of Noah” (Luke 17:26)—passages that focus on final judgment and the end of the world as we know it. These readings can be jarring and troubling, but they also invite us to ask difficult questions.
Your ultimate goal is to spend eternity with God, so it makes sense to be preparing yourself for that reality every day: by spending quality time among God’s people, by seeking him in prayer, and by immersing yourself in his word. You can also prepare by loving and caring for other people, both those closest to you and those you are sometimes tempted to hold at arm’s length. Can people count on you each day to show up and do your part, to do your very best and not just slide by? Because the truth is, tomorrow is never guaranteed.
Let’s take a cue from today’s Gospel and stay alert during the day. Many people find it helpful to set alarms on their phones or watches to remind them to take medicine or make important phone calls. Maybe you can set reminders to stop and lift your heart to the Lord. Try giving yourself a wake-up call like this once a day: when the alarm sounds, offer whatever you’re doing to Jesus and ask him to make you more aware of his presence with you. Ask him to show you where he is already at work and what he might be inviting and empowering you to do in this graced moment.
“Lord, help me to live for eternity!” (Meditation on Luke 17:26-3, n.d.)
Friar Jude Winkler suggests that the Letter of John indicates that perhaps the majority in the community were immaturely not walking in the truth. Docetism and Gnosticism claimed the material world is evil making Incarnation impossible. These ideas separate Jesus from the Divine being. Friar Jude discusses the “rapture interpretation” as he reminds us to meet the end times with “nothing left unsaid and nothing left undone.”
Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, introduces Jesuit peace activist John Dear who wrote in the CAC’s journal Radical Grace about the nonviolent impact that interfaith cooperation can make. Since the early 1980s, Dear has worked as an author, activist, and peacemaker, deeply influenced and inspired by interfaith friendships.
For the last twenty [now almost 40] years, I have experienced the deepest multicultural and interfaith connections through my work in the peace movement. I have developed many friendships across cultural and religious boundaries because of our shared vision of nonviolence. This interfaith peacemaking sprang from the Civil Rights Movement, when Dr. King called religious leaders to march with him to Selma. The friendship modeled between Dr. King, Rabbi Abraham Heschel and Thich Nhat Hanh still bears good fruit in our world and exemplifies the journey we must all make.
As the world hangs on the brink of nuclear and environmental destruction, as we wage war in the name of religion, we need to explore the religious roots of nonviolence, just as Gandhi did. Perhaps then, we will hear the call to disarm, to embrace one another as sisters and brothers, and welcome the gift of peace that has been already given. (Rohr, n.d.)
We remember the people who have lost their lives in service of our country and the truth, beauty and goodness that we strive to put at the centre of the community of humanity in harmony with Nature.
References
Burke, E. (n.d.). Creighton U. Daily Reflection. Online Ministries. Retrieved November 11, 2022, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/111122.html
Luke, CHAPTER 17. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved November 11, 2022, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/luke/17?26
Meditation on Luke 17:26-3. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved November 11, 2022, from https://wau.org/meditations/2022/11/11/531535/
Psalms, PSALM 119. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved November 11, 2022, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/119?1
Rohr, R. (n.d.). Daily Meditations — Center for Action and Contemplation. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved November 11, 2022, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/interfaith-nonviolence-2022-11-11/
Schwager, D. (n.d.). Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture ... Retrieved November 11, 2022, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2022&date=nov11
2 John, THE SECOND LETTER OF JOHN. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved November 11, 2022, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/2john/1?4
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