THIRTY-THIRD SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME, YR C
Mal 3:19-20a; Ps 98
2 Thes. 3:7-12; Lk 21:5-19
THE DAY OF REWARD AND JUDGEMENT
As the liturgical year gradually draws to a close, the church takes our minds to contemplate the end times. It is interesting how the question of “when will the world end?” still manages to grasp the attention of people. Many of us are concerned about when it will end than how we will face it. Some people on the other hand live as if it will never happen in order to give themselves license to do what they want. But let some catastrophe occur that has a semblance of what they expect of the end of the world and you see them in church and looking all repentant.
In the Book of Malachi (our first reading), there are six oracles of judgement against the nations for their unfaithfulness. Our reading today, falls in the sixth oracle, where everything seemingly has been turned upside down. The arrogant are those who are called blessed and it seems futile to serve God. It makes it difficult then to distinguish between good and evil when you see evil people succeeding.
The opening statement of our first reading, “behold the days are coming”, points to the day of judgement and accountability with certainty. It will surely come but no one knows when except God. And we must believe it because God says so. Even though it is spoken of in future terms it is closer than we think. Our concern should not be when but it should be how we are preparing ourselves for that day. We should be always ready by living as true Christians. There is no secret formular to safety on that day except a Christian life of goodness and holiness.
The judgement of the Lord is compared to “a burning furnace”. This points to the seriousness of the punishment of that day of judgement. On that day there shall be no consideration for all the arrogant and evil doers. That day those who have lived a life of wickedness, evil and sin will be seriously punished. The only way to escape that, is to begin to live a good Christian life now. That is the only way. Repentance is the only way.
It must be noted that, this oracle is actually an answer to the prayer of the righteous who are suffering for their righteousness and see the wicked rather rewarded for their evil. Do we not see in our society that those who do evil are those who are rather succeeding? Do we not see that those who plunder the resources of our nations and leave the majority poor are those who succeed? And many times, they are those who wield power. God assures us that a day will come for them. This is a call for repentance and a promise of reward for those who remain faithful.
The rewards include healing for the people. In simple terms, healing is a restoration of health. Consequently, God rises to bring judgement, he brings restoration to us too. Whatever we may have lost or suffered in our faithfulness to God, he shall restore. May God restore to you all that you have lost for the sake of the kingdom of God. Furthermore, may the Lord restore to you your health from sickness, peace from tribulation, faith from doubt and peace of mind from restlessness.
This healing that the Lord brings is in his wings. The mention of wings signifies safety and protection of God upon our lives. It is an indication and even an assurance that God protects those who are faithful to him. when we are faithful to the Lord, he protects us from the temptations of going astray and become like the wicked. The truth is that it is not easy to resist temptation in an environment where being just or doing the right thing brings no reward but pain. This is God’s assurance that he will protect you and restore you.
He protects us from the attack of the wicked physically or spiritually. Sometimes the evil man plans for the destruction of the people of God, “let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us” (Ps 2:3) but the Lord spread his wings of protection over his people.
Let us always be mindful of the day of judgement and accountability. Let us always do better, live better according to the teaching of Jesus Christ our Lord. May his banner of mercy and protection be always over us his faithful ones.
God Bless You.
BY Rev. Fr. Delight Arnold Carbonu
