Tribulation in Gentile Times

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today, near the end of the Liturgical Year, challenge us to respond to the tribulation in the world and in our environment as we reflect on our own “end time”.

Time and Tribulation

The reading from the Book of Revelation is a vision of the Fall of Babylon (Rome) and the Rejoicing in Heaven.

* [18:1–19:4] A stirring dirge over the fall of Babylon-Rome. The perspective is prophetic, as if the fall of Rome had already taken place. The imagery here, as elsewhere in this book, is not to be taken literally. The vindictiveness of some of the language, borrowed from the scathing Old Testament prophecies against Babylon, Tyre, and Nineveh (Is 23; 24; 27; Jer 50–51; Ez 26–27), is meant to portray symbolically the inexorable demands of God’s holiness and justice; cf. Introduction. The section concludes with a joyous canticle on the future glory of heaven. (Revelation, CHAPTER 18 | USCCB, n.d.)

Psalm 100 declares all Lands are summoned to praise God.

* [Psalm 100] A hymn inviting the people to enter the Temple courts with thank offerings for the God who created them.

* [100:3] Although the people call on all the nations of the world to join in their hymn, they are conscious of being the chosen people of God. (Psalms, PSALM 100 | USCCB, n.d.)

In the Gospel of Luke, the Great Tribulation and the Destruction of Jerusalem are foretold.

* [21:20–24] The actual destruction of Jerusalem by Rome in A.D. 70 upon which Luke and his community look back provides the assurance that, just as Jesus’ prediction of Jerusalem’s destruction was fulfilled, so too will be his announcement of their final redemption (Lk 21:27–28).

* [21:24] The times of the Gentiles: a period of indeterminate length separating the destruction of Jerusalem from the cosmic signs accompanying the coming of the Son of Man.

* [21:26] The powers of the heavens: the heavenly bodies mentioned in Lk 21:25 and thought of as cosmic armies. (Luke, CHAPTER 21 | USCCB, n.d.)

Andy Alexander, S.J. considers these apocalyptic prophesies from the Book of Revelation and from Jesus, offered for our reflection in the last week of the Church year. He tries to open his  heart to hear what the Word is offering today.

It is into this place this week that we are invited to translate this Word into a message of hope and a preparation for the movements of Advent, just a few days away. What we are experiencing is not the end of the story. The forces of darkness and sin will not prevail.The ultimate victory belongs to our God. Jesus is with us. We can dare to reach out for his grace to continue our mission of loving and serving one another and the least of our brothers and sisters. (Alexander, n.d.)

Don Schwager quotes “The signs have been accomplished,” by Augustine of Hippo, 354-430 A.D.

"The signs given in the Gospel and in prophecy and fulfilled in us show the coming of the Lord... We know that the coming is near by the fact that we see the fulfillment of certain signs of that coming that have been accomplished... The signs that Christ told them to look for are listed in the Gospel of Saint Luke: 'Jerusalem will be trampled down by the Gentiles until the times of the nations are fulfilled.' This has happened and no one doubts that it has happened... It is plain that there is no country or place in our time that is not harassed or humbled according to the words 'for fear and expectation of what will come on the whole world.' All the signs that the gospel describes in the earlier verses have mostly been accomplished." (excerpt from Letter 198) (Schwager, n.d.)

The Word Among Us Meditation on Luke 21:20-28 comments that It doesn’t take a detailed investigation to see that Jesus’ warning is for us as well. We are all aware of how widespread war, violence, famine, and abuse have become. Even our environment (the frightening “roaring” of the oceans—Luke 21:25) is suffering the effects of human sin! So how should we respond?

Lift up your head! Let your faith and trust in the Lord be visible to the people around you. Join your heart with all believers so you can “shine like lights in the world” (Philippians 2:15). Let your peace draw others to the Lord so they can become instruments of peace as well.

Never forget the love and faithfulness of the Lord. Let him help you stand firm. And for heaven’s sake—and for the sake of everyone else—lift up your head!

“Jesus, help me to keep my eyes fixed on you, no matter what!” (Meditation on Luke 21:20-28, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler comments that in the vision from Revelation, Babylon, representing Rome, is overthrown and the wedding feast of the Lamb is celebrated. The cities in the passage are represented as female, but this is not an anti-woman passage as the heavenly Jerusalem is also represented as female. Friar Jude reminds us that at the end of the world, after the “times of the Gentiles” there will be a separation of good and evil.

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, introduces CAC affiliate faculty and Cherokee descendant Rev. Dr. Randy Woodley shares a prayer of Thanksgiving, reminding us of the preciousness of all life in its diversity:

I am thankful for Turtle Island [1], that it can become a place where freedom can take hold and become a place where one day we will all be equal under the law, both under the prevailing social structures, and in our own minds. And for the land itself; may you work through us to restore it to your most beautiful intentions. May all of your creatures, the four-legged, the swimmers, the flying things, the crawling things, and the two-legged creatures all be able to have a home on your land. May we make the water sacred once again, the first medicine that provides life to all your creation. May it not be commodified so as to keep it out of the reaches of any of your creatures, and may it be kept in a way that shows the respect for it that you gave it when you made the water such an important part of this earth. 

As I look around this circle we call Mother Earth, I am thankful to you that it is a sacred circle and in the circle no one is more, nor less, than the other. As I look around the sacred circle, I see that I am related to all your creation and that each one in the circle is as sacred as me. You have given us all stories to tell but in all our stories we find you. It is the you in the other that I most value Great Mystery. Please teach me about myself in this sacred circle so I may know you and reflect you more on this good earth, the whole community of creation, including humans. Thank you! (Rohr, n.d.)

We are approaching the end of the liturgical year and the Church reminds us of the trials and tribulations that are the consequence of the injustice and hatred that we witness in the “time of the Gentiles” that is contrary to Jesus Way.

References

Alexander, A. (n.d.). Daily Reflection Of Creighton University's Online Ministries. Creighton University's Online Ministries, from  https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/112824.html 

Luke, CHAPTER 21 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved November 28, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/luke/21?20 

Meditation on Luke 21:20-28. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved November 28, 2024, from https://wau.org/meditations/2024/11/28/1138294/ 

Psalms, PSALM 100 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved November 28, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/100?1 

Revelation, CHAPTER 18 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved November 28, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/revelation/18?1 

Rohr, R. (n.d.). A Simple Prayer of Thanksgiving. CAC Daily Meditations. https://cac.org/daily-meditations/a-simple-prayer-of-thanksgiving/ 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). The Son of Man Is Coming with Great Glory. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved November 28, 2024, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2024&date=nov28 

Losing for Love

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today challenge us to contemplate the paradox of finding life in the experience of loss and the consolation offered by loving relationships.

Life and Loss

The reading from the Prophet Nahum describes the destruction of the Wicked City with ruin Imminent and inevitable.

* [2:2] One who scatters has come up against you: the enemy is about to crush Nineveh, dispersing and deporting its people (v. 8; 3:18). (Nahum, CHAPTER 2 | USCCB, n.d.)

The response from Deuteronomy declares vengeance is mine.

* [32:1–43] The whole song is a poetic sermon, having for its theme the Lord’s benefits to Israel (vv. 1–14) and Israel’s ingratitude and idolatry in turning to the gods of the nations; these sins will be punished by the nations themselves (vv. 15–29); in turn, the foolish pride of the nations will be punished, and the Lord’s honor will be vindicated (vv. 30–43). (Deuteronomy, CHAPTER 32 | USCCB, n.d.)

In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus connects the Cross and Self-Denial.

* [16:24–28] A readiness to follow Jesus even to giving up one’s life for him is the condition for true discipleship; this will be repaid by him at the final judgment.

* [16:24] Deny himself: to deny someone is to disown him (see Mt 10:33; 26:34–35) and to deny oneself is to disown oneself as the center of one’s existence.

* [16:25] See notes on Mt 10:38, 39.

* [16:27] The parousia and final judgment are described in Mt 25:31 in terms almost identical with these.

* [16:28] Coming in his kingdom: since the kingdom of the Son of Man has been described as “the world” and Jesus’ sovereignty precedes his final coming in glory (Mt 13:38, 41), the coming in this verse is not the parousia as in the preceding but the manifestation of Jesus’ rule after his resurrection; see notes on Mt 13:38, 41. (Matthew, CHAPTER 16 | USCCB, n.d.)

Eileen Wirth comments that her students helped her understand what Jesus meant when he told us to lose our lives for his sake in order to find them.

Or there’s a question of how to use our money to make the world a better place. Ideally this means advocacy as well as writing checks (okay, donating online). I think of covering a group of rich women who made their gifts to United Way contingent on the creation of a domestic violence shelter. They used their money to make a statement, and we can too.

St. Mother Teresa used to say that the poverty of the affluent nations was loneliness. I know people, especially retirees, who tell me how hard it is to make friends at our age. Then I think of the new friends I’ve made at church, and working with refugees and Habitat for Humanity. We find out lives at every stage in life by “losing” them as Jesus taught us.

I’m glad that I helped “ruin” so many former students who are now gaining the only kind of “wealth” that matters long term. (Wirth, n.d.)

Don Schwager quotes “Walk as Christ has walked,” by Caesarius of Arles (470-543 AD).

"When the Lord tells us in the Gospel that anyone who wants to be his follower must renounce himself, the injunction seems harsh; we think he is imposing a burden on us. But an order is no burden when it is given by one who helps in carrying it out. To what place are we to follow Christ if not where he has already gone? We know that he has risen and ascended into heaven; there, then, we must follow him. There is no cause for despair - by ourselves we can do nothing, but we have Christ's promise... One who claims to abide in Christ ought to walk as he walked. Would you follow Christ? Then be humble as he was humble. Do not scorn his lowliness if you want to reach his exaltation. Human sin made the road rough. Christ's resurrection leveled it. By passing over it himself, he transformed the narrowest of tracks into a royal highway. Two feet are needed to run along this highway; they are humility and charity. Everyone wants to get to the top - well, the first step to take is humility. Why take strides that are too big for you - do you want to fall instead of going up? Begin with the first step, humility, and you will already be climbing." (excerpt from SERMONS 159, 1.4-6) (Schwager, n.d.)

The Word Among Us Meditation on Nahum 2:1, 3; 3:1-3, 6-7 asks “We know that God could stop evil in its tracks. So why doesn’t he?”

It’s because we live in an age of “already” and “not yet.” In one sense, God has already conquered evil. On the cross, Jesus took on all the sins of the world—past, present, and future. He became the sacrificial lamb, bearing everyone’s guilt and offering mercy and redemption in its place. Then he rose from the dead to offer new life to all who turn to him. But evil has not yet been fully destroyed. That great and final victory will happen when Jesus comes again. Then, there will be no more crying, mourning, or pain. Every tear will be wiped from our eyes, and we will rejoice forever (Revelation 21:4).

We all experience the pain of living in a fallen world. But unlike the people of Judah, we already know the end of the story. Whatever suffering we may have to endure in the meantime, we can trust that evil will not have the final word.

As Nahum prophesied, the Lord did restore the vine of Jacob. He did it by sending his Son into the world. In the face of every evil, may we place all our hope in him.

“Jesus, I believe that you will do what you promise, in your time and in your way.” (Meditation on Nahum 2:1, 3; 3:1-3, 6-7, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler comments that the minor prophet, Nathum, declared the destruction of Assyria as a consequence of the punishment of Israel going overboard. The privilege expected by Peter is contradicted by Jesus' image of the Cross, the ultimate punishment used by Rome, as the destiny for Him and many of his followers. Friar Jude reminds us that in Matthew’s Gospel, we encounter the dawning of the Kingdom at the parousia and now in the Death and Resurrection of Christ.

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, has learned from alcoholics and the Twelve Steps that it’s when we hit rock bottom that we realize how our suffering and God’s suffering are connected.

Those who have passed over to healing and sobriety eventually find a much bigger world of endurance, meaning, hope, self-esteem, deeper and true desire, and, most especially, a bottomless pool of love, both within and without. The Eastern fathers of the church called this transformation theosis, or the process of the divinization of the human person. This deep transformation is not achieved by magic, miracles, or priestcraft, but by a “vital spiritual experience” that is available to all human beings. It leads to an emotional sobriety, an immense freedom, a natural compassion, and a sense of divine union that is the deepest and most universal meaning of that much-used word salvation. Only those who have passed over know the real meaning of that word—and that it is not just a word at all. (Rohr, n.d.)

We are grateful, in retrospect, for the times of loss and surrender that have brought consolation through a deeper experience of love and community, human and Divine.

References

Deuteronomy, CHAPTER 32 | USCCB. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved August 9, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/deuteronomy/32? 

Matthew, CHAPTER 16 | USCCB. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved August 9, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/matthew/16? 

Meditation on Nahum 2:1, 3; 3:1-3, 6-7. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved August 9, 2024, from https://wau.org/meditations/2024/08/09/1044299/ 

Nahum, CHAPTER 2 | USCCB. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved August 9, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/nahum/2 

Rohr, R. (n.d.). Daily Meditations — Center for Action and Contemplation. The God of All Who Suffer. Retrieved August 9, 2024, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/the-god-of-all-who-suffer/ 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved August 9, 2024, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2024&date=aug9 

Wirth, E. (n.d.). Daily Reflection Of Creighton University's Online Ministries. OnlineMinistries. Retrieved August 9, 2024, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/080924.html