Greetings, SBT Readers!

Terrifying as it may be, the imagery of cataclysmic events in this Sunday's liturgical readings is less disturbing than Jesus' words about divisions. On this, the last Sunday before the Feast of Christ the King, Jesus instructs his followers to prepare for betrayals, persecution, imprisonment, and even death-- the price of discipleship. Rather than facing an external enemy, however, his followers should expect hatred from within their own families and even from within their own households. The "enemy" will not be someone external, but those they know and love the most. The Gospel echoes Matt 10:34-36:

“Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I have not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. And a person's enemies will be those of his own household."

This sword is the Sword of Truth, the sword that separates belief from disbelief, compassion from indifference, kindness from cruelty, forgiveness from revenge, gratitude from entitlement, generosity from selfishness, peacefulness from violence, courage from cowardice, justice from injustice... And this sword cuts through family ties, friendships, organizations, faith communities, and even nations.

Depending upon which side of the dividing line one happens to be, the consequences can range from experiencing discomfort to receiving a death sentence. In countries where the church is "underground," being "outed" as a Christian can have dire outcomes; in contrast, in countries that can be described as "post-Christian," practicing Christianity can bring ridicule and even hostility. I can recall many conversations in which friends have lamented how their children and grandchildren have not only rejected their Christian roots but also equate belief with ignorance and superstition. I also remember several situations in which colleagues regarded being Christian as a professional disadvantage, even in a Catholic university!

America today is a divided country, not only in terms of "red" and "blue" states, but in terms of the households and neighborhoods within those states. The political sword has splintered relationships, severed friendships, and cut goodwill and understanding. It has also exposed all the hidden divisions that have always existed, but were usually camouflaged by a semblance of inclusivity -- racism, for example, sexism, anti-Semitism, homophobia, classism, etc. Now, the sword has exposed true feelings and beliefs, with no checks and balances to restrain anyone from acting on their worst impulses or from making claims that once would have been considered outrageous.

Here, in Malta, as elsewhere in Europe, there are similar divisions, especially when it comes to attitudes towards undocumented migrants or the treatment of workers from third-world nations. There are those who advocate kindness and compassion towards the most vulnerable, while others exploit the foreign laborers upon whose work their industries depend, especially in the construction, caregiving, and hospitality sectors.

The Sword of Truth has a right side and a wrong side, a side that is aligned with biblical values and one that violates every standard of human decency. This sword is also a sword of Justice, separating proud evildoers from those who honor God's Name (Mal 3:19-20). Ultimately, each of us will be judged by one criterion: LOVE. For those of us who profess to be Christian, this means nothing less than loving as Christ has loved us -- that is, to become Love for the sake of Love, through the power of Love...

Many Blessings!



Elizabeth

LINK TO SCRIPTURE READINGS

Then he said to them,

"Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be powerful earthquakes, famines, and plagues in various parts of the world. And awesome sights and mighty signs will come from the heavens.

Before these things happen, however,

they will seize and persecute you, handing you over

to the synagogues and to prisons; you will be brought before kings and governors because of my name. This will lead to your giving testimony.

Remember, you are not to prepare your defense beforehand, for I myself shall give you wisdom in speaking so that all your adversaries will be powerless to resist or refute.

You will even be betrayed by parents, brothers, relatives, and friends, and they will put some of you to death.

You will be hated by everyone because of my name,

but not a hair on your head will perish. By your perseverance, you will secure your lives."

Luke 21:5-19

As we approach the end of the liturgical year, our scriptural texts remind us that this world is impermanent, that its ending is inevitable, and that the Second Coming is at hand. Despite Jesus' assurance that "not a hair of your head will perish," this does not feel like Good News. While impermanence is one of the main tenets of Buddhism, those of us who have been conditioned by the values of Western civilization tend to be attached to our present reality. We prefer the familiar to the unknown, often resisting change, fearing what lies ahead, and grieving for what now lies in the past. For a Buddhist, the river one contemplates in the present tense has already flowed into a new becoming; for non-Buddhists, that same river remains as static as the photos and pen-and-ink sketches that attempt to capture its essence.

Try as we might, we cannot preserve the world we inhabit or avoid change. Floods, fire, earthquakes, warfare, and plagues may bypass our homes, but there are other forces that can turn our lives upside down-- loss of employment, for example, broken relationships, ill health, the loss of a loved one... However, while death and decay are dreaded agents of change, conversely, birth and creativity ensure that the world is in a constant state of regeneration. People, friendships, places, ideas, and technologies are ever-changing, as we must do if we are to embrace the new reality. This requires flexibility, resilience, detachment, and a willingness to learn new skills and meet new people, while adapting to changing circumstances.

We live, then, in the tension between death and birth, dying and rising, not as static beings but as evolving spiritual beings. By letting go of what we know, we give God permission to accompany us into new territory, trusting that even if the stars fall from the sky, the Holy One is with us, no matter how terrified we may be.

And all shall be well in the new worlds that lie ahead...

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QUESTIONS

FOR REFLECTION

* What does the "end of times" mean for YOU?

* What gives you hope, given the extreme times in which we are living?

* What message of hope do you have for future generations?

* How can you pray a new world into being?