Homily Thirty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time. Year C - Sunday, November 17, 2019
First Reading: Malachi 3:19-20
Psalm: Ps 97:5-9. The Lord comes to rule the earth with justice
Second Reading: 2 Thessalonians 3:7-12
Gospel Acclamation: Luke 21:38. Alleluia, alleluia! Lift up your heads and see. Your redemption is near at hand.
Gospel: Luke 21:5-19
Image: Shutterstock licensed. Photo by Seth Aronstam. stock photo ID: 1212006451. "Boulders from the Roman destruction of the second Temple alongside the western wall in Jerusalem, Israel."
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It is what is inside that counts. That could be one theme that jumps up from this weekend's scriptures. .Our Lord, who is God made flesh, was born into this world to usher in the Kingdom of God. He did and said many things in the furtherance of this Kingdom. But each and every action he did was an expression and a consequence of his nature as God and as a concrete exposition of the values of God in action. Our Lord today warns his disciples, yes, the ornaments and workmanship of God's Temple in Jerusalem is superb. But this beauty is merely a shadow of the inner significance of God who lives with his people. Its God within that matters. And in any case, this outer fabric of the Temple will be torn down and destroyed.. but the inner reality of God's abiding presence with his people never ends, no matter what happens. Amidst the shocks and tragedies around every corner of this uncertain life, if we stay firmly focused upon and connected to the inner reality of Christ, in all things, we will stand strong no matter what happens. This…
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The scene in the gospel is a really shocking one. Some people were admiring the beauty of the superb Temple of God in Jerusalem, only for Jesus to say. There will come a day when not one stone will be left lying on another.
It is unthinkable,// shocking.//
Although the temple was not a mere building. It was God's house. SO, it would be more like admiring the beauty of St Peter's in Rome, and rightly to be quite unable to comprehend or even bring oneself to think of this focal point of our universal faith lying in ruins. What a horrific thought. But, that is how shocking these words were to its listeners. And when the Temple did indeed lie in ruins after the Roman Armies destroying it. The people felt utterly lost. It must have been as if the end of the world had come. People still weep at the small part of the Temple wall that has been rebuilt. Endlessly mourning its loss.
The gospel shines its insightful light upon the massive efforts we put into building up a vision only to have it be torn down again by circumstances, whether by natural disasters and accidents, or by the negligence or malice of others.
It is timely to think of things like this, as Our Lord warns us to put our efforts into building up that which lasts forever. That which can never be touched or torn down.
This weekend, Jesus warns his disciples that there are tough, stormy times ahead, not only for him but for all who follow him and in fact for the wider community of the Jewish people in Israel in his time.
But in the midst of this, he still offers hope:- "Do not be fooled -- the end has not come."
He rightly predicted that there would be wars and natural disasters. many which will shake the foundations of society and frighten many. but he calls us to remain resolute and keep focusing on the gospel.
In all of this, he says. "don't be shaken. Do not be thrown by the tumult around you. Keep on working diligently without hesitation. Keep witnessing to the truth of my message. I will be with you. I will be faithful to you. even if following me causes persecution and even (for some) breakups in ordinary family and social relations."
But again, this is an invitation to think and pray carefully about what we are putting our energies into. what are we building? Because, some buildings, (MOST buildings, are not built to last forever.) and even the ones that are intended to last forever, DON'T!!!
Jesus is not just talking about a physical building. what are we putting all our hopes and dreams and energy into? because there may be a time when exactly that which is the object of all our time, effort and energy, will be knocked down (by a natural disaster, illness, the bad-will of others, and so many other reasons). so Jesus implores us to put our energies and priorities into his Kingdom and its values that can never be torn down. The reason that the early Christians endured such persecution, such horrors, and kept faithful was they KNEW JESUS. They met him, they walked with him. Or they met those who did. So they willingly would go to their deaths for what their Lord stood for.
We will not be left standing unless we connect ourselves to the one true spiritual building that endures forever. Christ. the Foundation stone and fortress. We need to daily deepen our knowledge and love of the person and message of Jesus . to deeply allow Our Lord to immerse us in his heart and mind. . and may we catch on fire with his person and message and values.
And let us reflect often. Open this spiritual question about our priorities and choices.
What are we building??? Are we building something so closely connected to Christ's gospel that it will never be torn down?
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References:
Fr Paul W. Kelly
My Daily Visitor reflections, Nov/Dec, 2010
Image: Shutterstock licensed. Photo by Seth Aronstam. stock photo ID: 1212006451. "Boulders from the Roman destruction of the second Temple alongside the western wall in Jerusalem, Israel."
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"Faith, Hope and Love, A time of Christian worship and reflection" - Led by Rev Paul W. Kelly
Texts used in this programme are for the purposes of worship and prayer for listeners wherever you are.
Prayers and chants are taken from the English Translation of the Roman Missal, edition three, © 2010, The International Commission on English in the liturgy.
Scriptures are from the New Revised Standard Version: © 1989, by the national council of Churches of Christ, USA. , //adaptations to conform with Catholic liturgical norms, © 2009, by the same.
[{selected psalms } - ***Psalm verses are (also) taken from "The Psalms: A New Translation" ©1963, The Grail (England), published by Collins. **]
Prayers of the Faithful are adapted from Robert Borg's 1993 book " Together we pray". Published in Sydney Australia By E.J. Dwyer. (out of print).
{ "Mass In Honour of St. Ralph Sherwin" -published 2011, Composed and Sung by Jeffrey M. Ostrowski
"Faith, Hope and Love" theme Hymn: Words, based on 1 Corinthians 13:1-13, set to original music © 1996 by Paul W. Kelly.
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May God bless and keep you.
Thirty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time. Year C
(Sunday, November 17, 2019)
(EPISODE: 188)
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. (or/ The Lord be with You)
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{{Goodness and kindness to you all}}
As we begin the Holy Eucharist, let us acknowledge our sinfulness, so as to worthily celebrate the sacred mysteries.
Lord Jesus, you raise us to new life: Lord, have mercy// //Lord Jesus, you forgive us our sins: Christ, have mercy//Lord Jesus, you feed us with your body and blood: Lord, have mercy//
May almighty God have mercy on us, forgive us our sins, and bring us to everlasting life. Amen.
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Memorial Acclamation
3. Save us, Saviour of the world, for by your Cross and Resurrection you have set us free.
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Sundays Ordinary III
Euch prayer two
Communion side. pwk: RH
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{I am very grateful for you joining us for this special time of prayer and reflection. }
Go in peace.
