Ken Overberg, S.J.
33rd Sunday, Nov 18, 2007
As we near the end of this liturgical year, our readings turn to “end-time” themes. This year of Luke, however, brings a twist. For by the time this gospel was written, near the end of the first century or even early in the second, the expectation of an imminent second coming had faded. Attention instead was focused on the pressures of everyday life, on the fears of living as members of a minority group in a hostile environment.
Luke builds on Mark’s apocalyptic tradition, itself probably reflecting the siege and destruction of Jerusalem in 70. But Luke offers a significant change of perspective, warning against those who would claim that that the end time is here. Rather he urges endurance and a deep trust in God, even in the context of persecution and suffering.
His preaching is dated to around 450 BCE. We also hear the final section of the second letter to the Thessalonians, Paul giving advice for daily life.
Let’s listen to God’s word!
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“You will be delivered up…even by friends and some of you will be put to death.” As many of you remember, 18 years ago this past Friday, members of the Salvadoran military broke into the Jesuits’ residence at their university in San Salvador and, to make a statement, literally blew out their brains with an AK47. Three notes: First, because of the fighting in the city, the Jesuits’ housekeeper-cook and her daughter asked to stay that night in the Jesuit community because it would be safer. The death squad could not allow witnesses, so the women were also shot to death. Second, one of the military had once been a student of one of the Jesuits. Third, a number of members of the death squad had been trained in the U.S. at Ft Benning’s School of the Americas. So, once again this year, at this very hour, thousands of people, including some of our friends and XU students, have gathered there to urge its closing, an event no longer considered news-worthy by our media.
“You will be delivered up….” Few of us will face martyrdom, though I wonder if Dorothy Stang ever worshipped here at Bellarmine. We face a more subtle threat to our lives: the materialism and violence of our culture seep into our values, the loss of hope and increase of cynicism color our view of life in our Church and country. Like Luke’s community, all of us face the challenge of being faithful witnesses of Jesus in our day-to-day living. Witness is, of course, the root meaning of martyr. Our lives also bring suffering and sickness and the deaths of family and friends.
So it is important to hear again a word of hope: “Not a hair of your head will be harmed.” Not pie-in-the-sky escapism--but a trust rooted in God’s faithfulness. Not just looking ahead to life after death--but remembering that God’s reign is already here in our midst. That’s what Jesus taught us.
We catch glimpses of God’s reign and love in forgiveness and compassion, in an experience of healing or a word of Scripture, in the Campaign for Human Development. Take a moment to recall such a moment, a person, an event that touched your heart. Who or what renews your trust and hope?