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 

Victory Over Struggles

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today use the vision of the victorious martyrs to reassure us that the Last Word against evil and persecution will come from God.

Struggle for the Good

The reading from the Book of Revelation begins a vision of the Angels with the Seven Last Plagues.

* [15:1–4] A vision of the victorious martyrs precedes the vision of woe in Rev 15:5–16:21; cf. Rev 7:9–12.

* [15:2] Mingled with fire: fire symbolizes the sanctity involved in facing God, reflected in the trials that have prepared the victorious Christians or in God’s wrath.

* [15:3] The song of Moses: the song that Moses and the Israelites sang after their escape from the oppression of Egypt (Ex 15:1–18). The martyrs have escaped from the oppression of the Devil. Nations: many other Greek manuscripts and versions read “ages.” (Revelation Chapter 15 | USCCB, n.d.)

Psalm 98 praises the Judge of the World.

* [Psalm 98] A hymn, similar to Ps 96, extolling God for Israel’s victory (Ps 98:1–3). All nations (Ps 98:4–6) and even inanimate nature (Ps 98:7–8) are summoned to welcome God’s coming to rule over the world (Ps 98:9). (Psalms Psalm 98|USCCB, n.d.)

The Gospel of Luke points to the Coming Persecution.

* [21:12] Before all this happens…: to Luke and his community, some of the signs of the end just described (Lk 21:10–11) still lie in the future. Now in dealing with the persecution of the disciples (Lk 21:12–19) and the destruction of Jerusalem (Lk 21:20–24) Luke is pointing to eschatological signs that have already been fulfilled.

* [21:15] A wisdom in speaking: literally, “a mouth and wisdom.” (Luke, CHAPTER 21 | USCCB, n.d.)

Cindy Costanzo shares that her commitment to growing her faith began and continues with the guidance of Jesus. She shares her recommendations for growing our faith.  

Join and belong to a community of faithful, engage in service activities to those in need, say yes when invited on a pilgrimage, participate in bible studies, read, listen to podcasts, attend a 3-4-5-7-30 day retreat. Learn about the Old Testament and its covenant and prophets and the new covenant brought forth in the New Testament. Pray continuously. When your feet hit the ground in the morning thank Jesus for blessing you with another day. Pray while in the car driving; on your daily walks or exercise; and/or before and after work meetings. Take 1-2-3 minutes or longer a day to thank God for all your blessings. (Costanzo, 2024)

Don Schwager quotes “The faithful Christian is recognized by belief in the resurrection of the body,” by Augustine of Hippo, 354-430 A.D.

"We should have no doubt that our mortal flesh also will rise again at the end of the world... This is the Christian faith. This is the Catholic faith. This is the apostolic faith. Believe Christ when he says, 'Not a hair of your head shall perish' Putting aside all unbelief, consider how valuable you are. How can our Redeemer despise any person when he cannot despise a hair of that person's head? How are we going to doubt that he intends to give eternal life to our soul and body? He took on a soul and body in which to die for us, which he laid down for us when he died and which he took up again that we might not fear death." (excerpt from Sermon 214.11-12) (Schwager, n.d.)

The Word Among Us Meditation on Revelation 15:1-4 comments that the saints and martyrs described by John as “those who had won the victory” did just that when they sang the “song of the Lamb” (Revelation 15:2, 3). We can do the same thing when we remember God’s mighty works described in Scripture, along with the wonders he has worked in our own lives. This is one sure way we can grow in confidence that God will be victorious over any of our current struggles.

Today, make a list of some of the ways you have seen God at work in your life. How has he saved you, healed you, guided you, and provided for you? The more you recall God’s “righteous acts” (Revelation 15:4), the more you will want to join the saints and martyrs in heaven who are even now glorifying our mighty God!

“I praise you, Lord, for the great and wonderful works you have accomplished in my life!” (Meditation on Revelation 15:1-4, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler comments that the vision of Revelation shows the seven angels and the seven last plagues as good prepares to destroy Evil. Jesus speaks of persecution and the action of the Spirit to give us the words to say to those who betray us. Friar Jude reminds us of our vocation to love God more than even family and to serve Christ no matter what it costs.

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, introduces Theologian Allen Dwight Callahan who considers Jesus’ parable about the Good Samaritan.

In the parable of the Good Samaritan Jesus reminds us that it is because we are so close to each other that our differences are so vexing. But the differences are never as great as we fancy them to be. The Samaritan and the man at his mercy were enemies because of all they had in common. They shared Abraham and Palestine, Moses and Sinai, and, most important, they shared the divine commandments to love God and to love one’s neighbor. 

The anonymity, altruism, and alterity of the Samaritan are the signposts that point to just such a love. His actions have shown us for his time, for our time, and for all time the meaning of love. He looked upon a fallen fellow human being with the eyes of compassion. He treated his wounds with the costly unguents of mercy. He provided for him in the spirit of the law of a God who has commanded us to love the neighbor we encounter on the Jericho road of life. Let us go and do likewise. (Rohr, n.d.)

We are confronted with struggle on our journey and the Spirit reminds us that our relationship with Jesus is where we will find courage, love, and compassion to continue to serve.

References

Costanzo, C. (2024, November 27). Creighton U. Daily Reflection. Creighton U. Daily Reflection. Retrieved November 27, 2024, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/112724.html 

Luke, CHAPTER 21 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved November 27, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/luke/21?12 

Meditation on Revelation 15:1-4. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved November 27, 2024, from https://wau.org/meditations/2024/11/27/1137727/ 

Psalms Psalm 98|USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Bible Readings. USCCB. https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/98?1 

Revelation Chapter 15 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Bible Readings. USCCB. https://bible.usccb.org/bible/revelation/15?1 

Rohr, R. (n.d.). Daily Meditations — Center for Action and Contemplation. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved November 27, 2024, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/signposts-of-compassion/ 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved November 27, 2024, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2024&date=nov27