As the year winds down, you'd think we might get happier and more joyful readings. In the Gospel for this weekend, the Lord asks us to think about some pretty difficult things: "the days will come when there will not be left a stone upon another stone that will not be thrown down." The readings seem to be all about terrible loss, nightmare, and calamity.
This November marks another year of unrest, of political division and uncertainty, a sense of powerlessness, fear and perhaps despair. Once again, it has not been the best of years for our nation and our broken world. One simply needs to turn on the television, to open the daily newspapers or check in with social media to know that it will be difficult - if not impossible - for many to find any source of joy and hope when this year comes to an end.
In the Gospel for this weekend, we are presented with some difficult images, but the message of the Gospel has never seemed more apropos.
Although it is not pleasant to reflect on all of these images, it's important for us to do so. Being a disciple implies that one has to make hard choices. We will not always get what we want. We may find ourselves at odds with others who do not share our values. It's never easy to do what needs to be done, to say what needs to be said or to work things out when it is uncomfortable for us to compromise.
The best way to prepare for what's ahead is by living in the NOW. Living the NOW's and not missing the NOW's because that's what life really is - a wonderful series of NOWs. Not tomorrows because they may never come. Not yesterdays because they have already been.
How well do we live out our "NOW?" How aware are we of those who surround us? How open are we to express our compassion and forgiveness for one another NOW? What are we really doing for the poor and the vulnerable NOW? How are we actively fostering the protection of life? How willing are we to put our name and our reputation at risk for the sake of the social justice values of the Gospel?
The Christian life is a challenge to put into action the promise, the ideals and the vision which we have learned from Jesus himself. Just talking about it is not good enough.
Rather than concentrating on the "final days" I think that Christ is more interested in the way we are conducting our lives right now and right here. The Good News of Jesus Christ is not a series of unfulfilled campaign promises. It is the key to living in the NOW and taking that NOW into the future.
We must continue to do our best to counter terror with courage, to work for peace even now at a time of war and a threat of war, to trust in God when so many good people have suffered and died. God is not asleep, nor indifferent to our world. Things may never be right with this world. But they are not hidden from God, even if God seems to be delaying in rescuing us..
As we approach the end of another event-filled year, we are again reminded that God has given us all we need to take hold of the Kingdom.
