Readings: Apocalypse 14:14-19, Ps. 96:10-13, Luke 21:5-11
“Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; there will be great earthquakes and in various places famines and plagues; and there will be dreadful portents and great signs from heaven.” (Luke 21:10-11)
The book of Ecclesiastes teaches us: “For everything, there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted.” (Ecclesiastes 3:1-2).
- Using graphic images, John describes the end of the world in terms of harvest, the time to pluck up what has been planted. Some people behave as if there would be no end to their lives. This forgetfulness of judgment is the greatest act of foolishness.
- In today’s Gospel passage, people were admiring the temple in all its beauty and grandeur, but Jesus dropped a bombshell: “As for these things that you see, the days will come when not one stone will be left upon another; all will be thrown down.” (Luke 21:6)
- The fact that things change and changes happen rapidly is life’s constant reminder that nothing is permanent. Even the very air we breathe is not permanent. Judgement day must come.
- On that day, God will send his angels on a mission of harvest like the landowner who planted a vineyard, put a fence around it, dug a wine press in it, built a watchtower and leased it to tenants. (Cf. Matthew 21:33). This is the message John conveys in today’s first reading:
- “Another angel came out of the temple, calling loudly to the one who sat on the cloud, ‘Use your sickle and reap, for the hour to reap has come because the earth’s harvest is fully ripe.’ So, the one who sat on the cloud swung his sickle over the earth, and the earth was reaped.” (Revelation 14:15-16)
- The question is: When that time comes, what kind of fruits will be found in me? Will I be like the fruitful vine or a tree covered with leaves yet lacking fruits? Have you ever invested money in a business only to realise you were duped? This is how God feels if we fail to bear the expected fruits.
- You may wonder: “Why do we have to face judgment?” No farmer plants without returning to reap the fruits of what he has planted. We shall only face judgment because God knows He has put so much good in us. Of course, no two people shall face the same judgement; we shall each give an account of what was given to us.
- As Jesus remarked: “From everyone to whom much has been given, much will be required; and from the one to whom much has been entrusted, even more, will be demanded.” (Luke 12:48)
- There is so much good inside of you. If you search deep enough, you will discover you are more than capable of goodness. As one author noted, our light, not our darkness, frightens us.
- Finally, Jesus warns us today against procrastination. Do not be concerned about when judgment will happen. Rather, be concerned about being prepared. Jesus said there would be wars, famines, plagues, dreadful portents, great signs from heaven, earthquakes, and so on. “These things must take place first, but the end will not follow immediately.” (Luke 21:9).
Let us pray: Almighty, ever-living God, may my life yield a great harvest. We ask this through Our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God forever and ever. Amen.
Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. May God’s abundant blessings be upon us all. (Tuesday of week 34 in Ordinary Time Liturgical Colour: Green. Bible Study: Apocalypse 14:14-19, Ps. 96:10-13, Luke 21:5-11).
@Rev. Fr. Evaristus E. Abu