Reflection on Today's Readings, Tuesday, 34th Week in Ordinary Time Year II, and the Memorial of St. Andrew Dung-Lac and his Companions, November 24th, 2020
Texts:Rev. 14:14-19; Ps. 96:10-13; Luke 21:5-11
Today's memorial brings back the memory of a church with longest period of persecution; the church of Vietnam experienced persecution for 260 years. The memorial is about all the Vietnamese martyrs, their fortitude, faith, charity and hope. They laid down their lives for Christ: "No one has greater love than this, to lay down one's life for one's friends" (John 15:13). They remind us that we have to take a bold step to walk the path of saints.
Today's Readings remind us that judgement belongs to Jesus Christ. The golden crown, in the first reading, is a crown of victory. He is a Victor because he conquered where Adam and Eve failed, he is a Victor because he has conquered death, the greatest enemy of man. He conquered for us: his victory is our victory. St. John says, "Every child of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world- our faith" (1John 5:4). He will come, as a Victor, at the end of time to judge everyone according to his deeds. He will come to commend us for victory in battle.
Penny Catechism teaches us that "Christ will judge our thoughts, words, works, and omissions" (No. 73). It also teaches us that "Everyone will be judged at death, as well as at the last day: 'Since men only die once, and after that comes judgement" (No. 76). Today's Readings deal with the judgement at the last day.
Thinking of judgement day could be scaring at times. Judgement is not all about condemnation alone but also that of commendation. It is a day we are all praying for: a day that God will wipe away our tears, a day that God will vindicate us, a day that God will give us justice, a day that God will give us the eternal reward for our good works. What should be our concern now is how to persevere in good works till the end. Let us purify our thoughts and safeguard our hearts from contamination.
The judgement will take place when the earth is ripe for it. The earth will be ripe for the judgement when man has lost the hope of salvation and has condemned himself to doing evil. At this time charity would have disappeared among men and faith no longer recoverable. It will be the time that man would have reached the peak of his atrocities and evil. The calling on the Son of man by the angel to put in his sickle is a sign that heaven and earth will be united in one accord to seek for justice.
The gospel reading reminds us that what will save us will be our perseverance and firmness in the faith, in the love of God and in the hope we received at the beginning. Jesus says, "Take heed that you are not led astray; for many will come in my name, saying, 'I am he!' and, 'The time is at hand!' Do not go after them. And when you hear of wars and tumults, do not be terrified; for this must first take place, but the end will not be at once." It is perseverance and firmness in faith, love and hope that we win us our lives, not religious prostitution, moving from one faith to another.
Lord Jesus, help us live our lives such that we will experience your merciful gaze on the judgement day and we will be counted worthy for your Kingdom. Amen.
Rev. Fr. Andrew Olowomuke
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