Today’s readings from Malachi 3:19-20a and Luke 21:5-19 present apocalyptic images of blazing fires, “wars and insurrections …. awesome sights and mighty signs,” suffering and persecution. While these images may seem extreme to us sitting here in Peachtree City, it occurred to me as I read that I could be reading the Atlanta Journal and Constitution or watching the evening news on television. The media inundates us with vivid pictures of war, earthquakes, famines, plagues and mysterious signs in the sky every day. And while it is not likely that we Christians in Peachtree City will suffer persecution, Christians in many parts of the world are suffering persecution for their faith, today – now! This year alone hundreds of Christians in India, Pakistan China and Nigeria have been slaughtered simply for being Christians.
The difference between what we read in the AJC or watch on the evening news and what Jesus describes in Luke 21 is a message of hope and a call for perseverance. Jesus told his disciples and he tells us not to be deceived and not to be terrified. Yes, terrible things happen. We can expect to experience natural disasters and tragedies invoked by humans. What Jesus offers us is the courage to face disasters and tragedy. He says, "When these signs begin to happen, stand erect and raise your heads because your redemption is at hand" (Luke 21:28).
These are not easy times. It could be easy for us to become complacent and absorbed with our own daily lives. But as citizens of the kingdom of God, we know that we must "Be vigilant at all times and pray... [for] the strength to escape the tribulations that are imminent and to stand before the Son of Man" (Luke 21:36).
O God, the beginning and the end of all things,
you fashion all humanity
into a living temple for your Son.
Through all of this life’s changes,
its joys and its sorrows,
may we hold fast the hope of your kingdom,
certain that, by our patient endurance,
we will come to possess eternal life.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God for ever and ever.
you fashion all humanity
into a living temple for your Son.
Through all of this life’s changes,
its joys and its sorrows,
may we hold fast the hope of your kingdom,
certain that, by our patient endurance,
we will come to possess eternal life.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God for ever and ever.
AMEN.
