Saturday, May 23, 2020
Calamities – Part I
This is the first of three reflections on Matthew 24 that school us on how to follow Christ who shows us the way through calamity. This weekend, as we begin to step back out into the world of pandemic, we celebrate the Ascension of Jesus. Next weekend brings us the Pentecost and the promise of Christ as universal shepherd. In the turmoil of our present catastrophe, we look for and find the steadily beating heart of God.
Chapter 24 of Matthew is full of images and predictions from Jesus himself, the prophet, priest, son, Messiah. The Destruction, Calamities and Great Tribulation are followed by the Coming of the Son of Man predicted by the prophet Daniel centuries before. The footnotes are longer than the text in the New American Bible and if you ever have time to sit with this chapter, you will find many gems to collect and carry with you for remembrance. Here are a few of these treasures. Try to find time today to sit with them.
- Vigilant waiting does not mean the cessation of daily work to wait in stillness for the restoration and healing; rather, it is the faithful continuing of our daily routine with an awareness that Christ can and does come at any moment to cure, to heal, and to free us.
- Disciples must always be ready for the coming of the Teacher; and it is this awareness of the disciples that will be their measure.
- The faithful need not ask for signs, but the one we might mark will be that of Jonah (see Matthew tells us in 12:39-40) . . . restoration after living in the belly of the beast for three days.
- Faithful completion of an assigned duty is paramount among disciples.
When we meet calamity, rather than see the destruction around us as a sign of God’s abandonment . . . we must consider how closely God always abides with those who suffer.
When we find ourselves against insurmountable barriers, rather than despair that all is lost . . . we must consider that with God all gain is loss and all loss is gain.
When we struggle with the difficulties of discipleship, rather than consider that the work is too hard . . . we must consider that we are privileged to serve one who rides out calamities with compassion and justice, one who restores and heals and transforms.
Tomorrow, Jesus’ words to us . . . his disciples . . . when we meet calamities . . .
Adapted from the May 13, 2008 Noontime.
Image from: https://www.livescience.com/17004-oklahoma-struck-biggest-november-tornado-record.html
The Noontimes 