We ask you, brothers and sisters,
with regard to the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ
and our assembling with him,
not to be shaken out of your minds suddenly, or to be alarmed
either by a "spirit," or by an oral statement,
or by a letter allegedly from us
to the effect that the day of the Lord is at hand.
Christianity announces good news to the poor, that things are going to change soon. The same doctrine warns the sinful, especially the powerful, that judgement is near. Our good news is bad news to those who cling to what is evil.. Our expectation is an urgent warning and a reassuring reminder.
As Saint Paul announced the gospel in many towns and cities, and then moved on to other places, he usually heard from the folks he'd left behind. And, frankly, the news was sometimes awful; especially when some people received the story of impending judgement the wrong way. They took it seriously, and that's good. But they lacked the patience to "watch and wait for the Lord our God is near."
If they were blessed with a fertile imagination, they might imagine the unimaginable with catastrophic scenarios. The traditional apocalyptic literature of the Jewish religion, colorful and violent, only added fuel to their fever.
The Christian is called to balance eager expectations of deliverance with a willingness to be tested through many trials. Those who fear difficulty, disagreement, and disappointment are apt to fly into orbit. Losing contact with the Earth on which Jesus walked, they soar into clouds of fantastic speculation. It was not uncommon in the 1960's to hear Christians preferring the End of the World to the loss of American greatness, even if it came by way of a nuclear holocaust.
Zacchaeus, the hero of today's gospel, despite his tree-climbing, has his feet on the ground. The "end of the world as he knew it" arrived in Jericho in the person of Jesus. Though he could not see over the crowd, the tax collector could see very clearly that the "end time" had come for him. When Jesus called him by name, "Zacchaeus, come down quickly, for today I must stay at your house." he knew he must obey. He had to decide at that moment and he did.
Every Christian is called by name from our baptism. (Remember that you had no name until you were baptized!) With that sacrament the Lord gives us our identity, our calling, and our destiny. We belong heart and soul to the Lord. Our long, sad wait in hellish isolation is over.
As we approach this season when we ponder "death and judgement, heaven and hell," can we read apocalyptic like cartoons, inspiring but not to be taken too seriously and certainly not literally? The visions of Daniel and Revelation were never meant to be taken as newsreels of the future. They were symbolic reassurances of God's shepherding protection. As the world changes around us, sometimes dramatically, the Bible assures us, "I am with you always."
With that word ringing in our ears we can conduct our businesses, practice our faith, love our families, participate in the political life around us, and watch as the Kingdom of God unfolds before our eyes.
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I love to write. This blog helps me to meditate on the Word of God, and I hope to make some contribution to our contemplations of God's Mighty Works.
Ordinarily, I write these reflections two or three weeks in advance of their publication. I do not intend to comment on current events.
I understand many people prefer gender-neutral references to "God." I don't disagree with them but find that language impersonal, unappealing and tasteless. When I refer to "God" I think of the One whom Jesus called "Abba" and "Father", and I would not attempt to improve on Jesus' language.
You're welcome to add a thought or raise a question.