Yet another series of personal impressions from todays Episcopal readings from the Revised Common Lectionary, Proper 28, Year C, NRSV translation.
Old Testament: Isaiah 65:17-25
Isaiah waxes lyrical over the paradise to come.
I will rejoice in Jerusalem, and delight in my people; no more shall the sound of weeping be heard in it, or the cry of distress. No more shall there be in it an infant that lives but a few days, or an old person who does not live out a lifetime … They shall build houses and inhabit them; they shall plant vineyards and eat their fruit. They shall not build and another inhabit; they shall not plant and another eat.
For a people who have dealt with invasion and defeat and exile, this promise of the future is both concrete and compelling. God’s promised land on Earth will be free from sorrow, infant mortality, early death, or injustice. I think most people would like something like that. Makes you wonder how folks reconcile “tax cuts for the rich” and “welfare is for lazy poor people” with the Bible.
Epistle: 2 Thessalonians 3:6-13
On the surface at least, a fine indictment of what one would consider stereotypical televangelist and religious pundit behavior.
Now we command you, beloved, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, to keep away from believers who are living in idleness and not according to the tradition that they received from us. For you yourselves know how you ought to imitate us; we were not idle when we were with you, and we did not eat anyone’s bread without paying for it; but with toil and labor we worked night and day, so that we might not burden any of you. … For we hear that some of you are living in idleness, mere busybodies, not doing any work. Now such persons we command and exhort in the Lord Jesus Christ to do their work quietly and to earn their own living
Even for those who manage to interpret this passage as an indictment against welfare recipients (“Anyone unwilling to work should not eat”) should consider what work is available and how we bridge the gap between labor, pay, and survival.
Gospel: Luke 21:5-19
When some were speaking about the temple, how it was adorned with beautiful stones and gifts dedicated to God, Jesus said, “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.”
Nobody loves lovely church architecture more than I. But while I think it is of value, as an inspiration, it is surely of perishable nature, and should not be made an idol. The folks at the Crystal Cathedral should certainly be considering that.
Jesus then goes into a lengthy tale of the end times.
And he said, “Beware that you are not led astray; for many will come in my name and say, `I am he!’ and, `The time is near!’ Do not go after them.
I think of this every time I hear of someone proclaiming that these are the end times.
“When you hear of wars and insurrections, do not be terrified; for these things must take place first, but the end will not follow immediately.” Then he said to them, “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.
These words have been identified with every era since they were recorded as Jesus’ prophecy. There are always wars, natural disasters, and exceptional “portents” and “signs.” But, as Jesus notes elsewhere, “No man shall know the day or hour.” Claiming we are in the end times (thus, keep your financial support coming) is the work of frauds and swindlers. End time or not, the commandment to love God and one’s neighbor reigns supreme.
“But before all this occurs, they will arrest you and persecute you; they will hand you over to synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors because of my name. This will give you an opportunity to testify. So make up your minds not to prepare your defense in advance; for I will give you words and a wisdom that none of your opponents will be able to withstand or contradict. You will be betrayed even by parents and brothers, by relatives and friends; and they will put some of you to death. You will be hated by all because of my name. But not a hair of your head will perish. By your endurance you will gain your souls.”
One wonders about those who spend so much time railing over persecution of Christians — most of which (in a US context) amounts to “They said we were doo-doo heads!” accusations. Someone who is truly following Jesus’ teaching, encountering what they saw as persecution, would not only turn the other cheek and forgive, but rejoice as it is a sign of God’s favor and, ultimately, the triumph of the Word.
Though, to be fair, if what you’re most concerned about is political power and dominion over society, people calling you “doo-doo heads” would be most disconcerting, regardless of what Jesus said.