What can we do to maintain order in our world?
If order comes from being connected, connected to God and to
each other, then disorder is that imbalance we create when we stop living
consciously as Christians. Faith is not
passive! And our readings this week
challenge us to remember that, and to live intentionally, nurturing our
relationships as a means to life-giving justice for all.
In our first reading from Malachi, the prophet reminds his
listeners that all will be tested by fire – the
day is coming that will set them on fire, he says. Those who have no
substantive relationship with God because they are too proud to pay attention
to God will perish. But those who are in
right relationship and fear God’s name will know the sun of justice and its healing rays. Order will win out over disorder, and
balance, or justice, will surely
come, as Psalm 98 reminds us: The Lord comes to rule the earth with
justice.
For Jesus, disorder was apparent when people believed their
security was grounded in tangible things, like the spectacular temple Herod has
built, a temple that would soon be destroyed.
Instead, in Luke's Gospel Jesus says, pay attention to the intangible: persevere
in relationship and not a hair on your
head will be destroyed. When
disorder rages through the land, the disciples must be confident that God will
know them, because they have opened their hearts and tried to know God in this life on earth: By your
perseverance, you will secure your lives, and order will win out over
disorder.
How? Well, at least
in part by doing what Paul encourages the Thessalonians to do: by being there for one another, helping one
another, making their lives gift to one another, no matter what their fortunes
might be. God’s love is enough, Paul says; live it
actively. Be involved, be charitable
Christians, because connection – to other, and to God – is the key
to ensuring justice, and order, for all.
This post is based on Fr. Pat's Scripture class.
Photo source
No comments:
Post a Comment