The daily Word of God

Dear brothers and sisters, peace and all good.

We are near the end of the liturgical year, and the readings start to show that “end-times” tone. Before we celebrate Jesus Christ, King of the Universe, the Liturgy wants to place us in the right atmosphere, so that what is coming won’t catch us off guard. When we rush at the last minute, things usually go wrong, and hurry is rarely a good guide.

Not too long ago, topics like the end of the world, the Final Judgment, the harvest, fire and burning, separating good from bad, punishment and reward were very present in preaching. These readings were sometimes used to threaten people, to scare them, or to condemn this, that, and everything else. Maybe today we’ve gone to the other extreme and we avoid the subject completely. Many Christians no longer think about the Final Judgment, condemnation, salvation, hell, or even the resurrection of the dead. Some have replaced these central truths of our faith with ideas that are exotic and far from Christianity—like reincarnation, transmigration of souls, releasing the spirit, or “merging with natural energy.”

At the same time, some groups and sects continue frightening people—usually those with little biblical or theological formation—with “the end of the world.” They claim it is near, like some did around the year 2000, and they see signs everywhere. So let’s consider a few points that can help us place this topic in the right light. The readings of this Sunday guide us.

Because, sooner or later, when we least expect it, the Day of the Lord will come, as the first reading says. And then we will need to show that we belong to the persevering ones—the constant, the firm, the patient, the faithful. This isn’t learned in a day. It takes training, like athletes who want to reach the top and work intensely every single day.

The Israelites of the prophet Malachi’s time wondered what good it did to act justly or keep God’s commandments, when they saw that the wicked seemed to do very well in this world while the just suffered and often failed. And unless we are blind, we’ve all asked that question at some point: evil is very present in our world. The prophet begins by assuring them that God is faithful and never abandons those who fear Him and serve Him. He announces that a Day will come—the Day of the Lord, the Day of Judgment—when each person will be placed in their proper place, when the balance of each life will be made, when justice will finally be done for those who suffered injustice. And this does not contradict the fact that “God is good,” that He always forgives, and wants everyone to be saved.

But along with this truth, we must also remember another: human beings were created free. And that freedom includes the possibility of self-destruction, choosing evil, betraying others. God can do nothing but suffer this freedom. In an agricultural world like theirs, it was natural to use images from the fields to explain this: the harvest, separating grain from chaff, burning the chaff and storing the grain. Maybe today we would talk about throwing things into recycling containers.

The image is only an image. But the Judgment itself was not something that the faithful people feared; it was not a threat. It was an event filled with hope for them—a moment when they would be surrounded by light, wrapped in peace, welcomed to the Banquet of the Kingdom, and see God face to face.

In the time of Jesus, many believed that this Day would come immediately. They expected a spectacular intervention from God. Some even used this expectation for their own benefit—financial or otherwise, as some still do today. Jesus clarifies several things that are very helpful for us.

When the end approaches, the struggle becomes more intense, temptations stronger, and dangers multiplied. Jesus warns His disciples, who were admiring the beauty of the Temple. He interrupts their joyful admiration and gives them a warning. Jesus explains a few things we need to hear:

– Many will come “in God’s name,” saying they are sent by Him, or even that they are God, claiming that the end is near. Don’t pay attention to them. Not to apparitions, not to self-proclaimed prophets, not to visionaries, not to the Jehovah’s Witnesses—no one.

– When you see (as we do today) wars, revolutions, earthquakes, epidemics, famines, signs in the sky—don’t panic. These things are part of the world. And more: they will be the chance for you to give witness.

– And then He directs His disciples’ attention to what really matters: You, My disciples, the ones who take My message seriously—you will be arrested, persecuted, brought before courts, imprisoned, judged by kings and governors for My sake. Even your own family members will betray you. Some of you will be killed. You will be hated because of My name.

This last point should worry us. It is a sign that we are on the right path. Jesus doesn’t soften His message. He is very clear: following Him brings difficulties. We are called to be witnesses, to show where we place our trust, what values and lifestyle we have chosen.

And here comes Saint Paul in the second reading: “I hear that some of you are living without working, very busy doing nothing.” The Apostle recommends that we “work quietly and with dedication,” without letting ourselves be distracted by people who disturb the community with predictions of terrible events.

“Doing nothing” can apply to us as well. For example, when we see hunger and war near us, people living alone, children without families, young people trapped in drugs and alcohol, manipulation and vulgarity everywhere… when we see that so many today do not know or experience God… when consumerism, individualism, and comfort have become new gods… when our world needs so much compassion and understanding—what are you doing?

In other words: Have you ever faced problems because you belong to Jesus? Have you taken the Beatitudes seriously? Have you had conflicts with your own family because you live differently? Have you had difficulties at work because you choose to act “as God commands”? Or maybe you are one of those who are “very busy” doing nothing—nothing worthwhile, nothing that counts in the Celestial Bank where Jesus invites us to store up treasure?

We speak of the Good News. But today, the message often sounds more like bad news: earthquakes, hunger, war, destruction. Even so, what Jesus tells us is truly Good News, because He wants to assure us that, in the middle of all the misery around us, God is on our side and loves us. We must not listen to those who threaten us with a terrifying end. We are, and must remain, people of hope. Let us ask Jesus, our Lord who is here among us, to fill us with trust and hope.

Your brother in the faith,