The Good Day is coming

The journey of Christians following Jesus often brings opportunity to reflect on the aspects of life which we truly value. The texts of the Roman Catholic Lectionary today give advice and warning about choosing to live without consideration of true value. The Prophet Malachi, according to Friar Jude Winkler, is extending an understanding among Jews of his time that those outside the Law, the Gentiles, were the evildoers who would meet the wrath of God to the members within the community who had seemingly had forgotten the Love of Yahweh for the poor ones and who used their power and privilege to live well as respected Jews without the need to act in Love and justice. The Second Letter to the Thessalonians is addressed to some in that community who have accepted a life style of not contributing to the community because the imminent end of the world would make such work futile. The Gospel from Luke warns that the timing of the end of the world is not known. The tribulation to which Jesus refers is a constant in human history. Father LarryGillick SJ comments on Jesuit martyrs in El Salvador for whom the fear and tribulation of their opponents wrought by the work of these Christians living the Word led to their execution. Father Roberto Donato (Lectio Divina Nov 14 2013) and Father Larry point to the beginning of this Chapter of Luke where the poorest widow is putting all her savings in the temple collection basket while the wealthy gave from their surplus. She, by putting her money in the treasury, places her treasure in the good times coming (Luke 21.1-4). The working disciple of Jesus is given faith to see the true values which lead to Love and justice.