God's judgement: The Removal of Evil

 Reflection on Today's Readings, Thursday, 34th Week in Ordinary Time Year II, November 26th, 2020

Texts: Rev. 18:1-2.21-23; Ps. 100:1-5; Luke 21:20-28

Only God whose judgement is true and just. This is because he knows all things, even the thought of man is not hidden from him. The first reading says, "Hallelujah! Salvation and glory and power belong to our God, for his judgements are true and just". This is a reminder to leave judgement and vengeance for God. He is the God of justice, he will pay our foes to the full. If we take judgement into our hands we will be arrogating to ourselves God's role. God's judgement is to put an end to satanic kingdom and rule in the world. 

Today's Readings tell us more about God's judgement; he is coming to remove the system of evil in the world. This removal of evil system is depicted in the destruction of the kingdom of Babylon in the first reading. Babylon is a symbolic representation of evil system, the satanic kingdom and rule. The Babylon is stripped of its pride and joy. It is said, "So shall Babylon the great city be thrown down with violence, and shall be found no more; and sound of harpists and minstrels, of flute players and trumpeters, shall be heard in you no more; and the craftsman of any craft shall be found in you no more; ..." 

Jerusalem, too, will not be spared of this, for God shall avenge all the evils that have been committed in it. The gospel reading tells us about the fall of Jerusalem.

The day of judgement shall be a dark day for the wicked, and a day of relief for the righteous. As the just we have nothing to fear, for the scripture says, "They will have no fear of bad news; their hearts are steadfast, trusting in the Lord" (Ps. 112:7). The solution to the news of impending doom communicated in the gospel reading is righteousness. Let us always do that which is right and just as we await the return of our Lord, so that his coming can fill us with joy.

Lord our God, grant us the zeal to live righteously every day of our lives. Amen.

Rev. Fr. Andrew Olowomuke