The End in View

Meditation for the Thirty-Third Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C
(Malachi 4:1-2; 2Thes 3:7-12; Lk 21:5-19)

Let us meditate on the mystery of the end of all things. In gospel, Jesus responded to those who spoke of the beauty of the temple, how it was adorned with noble stones and offerings. The beauty we contemplate, and the values we cherish, can determine the direction and movement of our hearts. We always act with a purpose in view. The end to which we strive for, and commit our lives to, can only enrich us with lasting fulfilment if it is greater than our lives. That is why the contemplation of eternity remains the ultimate source of value and fulfilment that can move us forward. Hence, Jesus quickly urged the people not to exhaust their hearts admiring the beauty that will not last: “As for these things which you see, the days will come when there shall not be left here one stone upon another that will not be thrown down.”

What do you think will happen if the end we look up to is crowned with death and destruction? It will definitely affect our way of life at the moment. The fact that the end is opened for us to aspire to and contemplate on, implies that our present life must be patterned in that direction. Thus, there is a gradual unfolding of the children of God (Rm 8:19). According to prophet Malachi, at that very moment when the children of God are revealed, the evildoers are brought down. There will always be a struggle to distract the children of God, so that they settle for the contemplation of things that cannot last. In other words, the temptation is to replace eternal beauty with temporary beauty, thereby leading man to that state of life where nothing has value, and to experience that ‘nothingness’ within that leads to chaos.

Therefore, Jesus warns, “Take heed that you are not led astray; for many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am he!’ and, ‘That time is at hand!’ Do not go after them.” He made it clear that difficult times are bound to come; wars, political turmoil, natural disasters, hunger, sickness, persecutions, and other terrifying manifestations. All these we must encounter and confront as they come, still, the end is not near. Our journey to the end that God has willed for us is not coerced or conditioned by any external influence. According to St. Paul’s message in the second reading, we move towards the eternal beauty we contemplate by fulfilling our present responsibilities “in quietness”.

A Christian lives in hope of the second coming our Lord Jesus Christ. The mystery of this hope is that it energizes him to make the best of the present moment for his wellbeing and to the glory of God. That is why we must be mindful of the things we treasure in our hearts, and the things that consume the energies of our love. The end is being realized today as we work diligently and humbly for a good life. Therefore, in contemplating eternal beauty through faith and prayer, “The Sun of righteousness shall rise, with healing in its wings”, and shine upon you, so that “Not a hair of your head will perish. By your endurance you will gain your lives.” Amen.

 

Fr Jude Chinwenwa Nwachukwu, C.Ss.R
Saints Peter & Paul Catholic Church,
Tedi-Muwo, Ojo, Lagos.
Sunday November 13^th, 2022.
www.nwachinwe.blogspot.com