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Malachi 3:13-6, II Thessalonians 3:6-13, Luke 21:5-19
St. Stephen's Episcopal Church, West Valley City, UT
The Rev'd W. Lee Shaw
Liturgically, we are seeing hints of Advent with lessons around end times and Christ's second coming. In Utah we are getting hints of Christmas with houses decorated, some decorated trees up and Christmas music on the radio.
Luke's account of Jesus' prophecies of the end times brings us up
short as to what will yet happen. I read just this week of a cult
in Russia who have holed up in a cave waiting for the end times
to come. But Jesus is non-committal as to when any of this would
take place. I have always found comfort in that even he does not
know the end times. Then I read this section again for the first
time, for every reading of Scripture hopefully opens up new insights
for us. This time I noticed something new: You will be hated by
all because of my name. But not a hair of your head will perish.
Well...I guess I know where I stand!
Nonetheless, Jesus warns us not to be obsessed, consumed or overwhelmed with what the future may bring. Be faithful and I will take care of you is his promise to us. I do trust in his word to me and to you.
Malachi also warns the people of his day, yet his warning also
contains the promise that ...you who revere my name the son of
righteousness shall rise, with healing in its wings.
What a
beautiful, comforting image, and one to hold on too.
Our lesson from Thessalonians is a study in how a good message can go too far with unintended results. Thessalonica was a city of no small reputation. It was the capital of the province of Macedonia and was a free city, with a democratic administration and the right to elect its own rulers and to mint its own coins. It was a prosperous commercial and cultural center, more Greek than Roman in character. As a cultural center it attracted people of the arts and letters, together with large numbers of immigrants, traders and crafts people. It was a natural place for Paul to come to share the Good News of Christ's ministry and resurrection.
Paul's first letter to the church in Thessalonica is the earliest piece of Christian writing we have. It predates the Gospels as well as all other parts of the New Testament. This follow-up letter by Paul, or one of his disciples, seeks to clarify and correct the understanding of the first letter. For in that initial letter, Paul writes about the expected coming of Jesus again in a very short time. He urges the members of the congregation to live faithfully for Jesus will return.
Well, it seems that some of the good folks in Thessalonica took that to mean they could slack off, stop working, visit with their buddies and not worry about making a living because the end times was coming and they could sponge off their neighbors. Clearly this did not go over well with the rest of the community.
So this letter is not an early attempt at welfare reform as it is an attempt to undo the unintended effectiveness of the previous letter. Don't be busybodies, feed your family, earn a living, keep your day job, and still do not be weary in doing what is right.
This letter is an appeal to community wellness, solidarity and faith. In other words, yes, Jesus will come again as he promised. But it is not going to be next Tuesday. So, keep doing what you are doing and living a good and faithful life taking care of yourself, your family and your community. Do not tire of being who Jesus calls you to be.
This call to Christian responsibility and community is as valid today as it was 2,000 years ago. We can not expect things to take care of themselves and just go about our daily lives as if our contributions and participation in the life of the community does not matter.
You do matter. And what you contribute in time, talent and treasure matters to this community. We, the community of St. Stephen's, need your presence, your prayers and your financial support to grow our ministries and mission in this place.
I thank you for all you do and have done for our common life. I am humbled by your faith and generosity of spirit here at St. Stephen's. I invite you to join with your friends here at St. Stephen's in the Stewardship of our common life and ministries and make a pledge for our ongoing life together.