Your endurance will win you your lives

Mal. 3:19-20, 2 Thess. 3:7-12, Lk. 21:5-19. On this Thirty Third Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C, the Church invites us to imbibe the virtue of endurance. In today’s first reading, Malachi speaks of the day of the Lord. He paints two pictures. First, the fate of the evil one. Second, the triumph of the righteous who endures till the end. This reading simply serves as an encouragement to us in order to continue patiently in good works. Malachi ends with a promise of victory: “But for you who fear my name, the sun of righteousness will shine out with healing in its rays.” This is our hope and reward. In the second reading, Paul also speaks of the hope and reward of those who keep working hard. The Church does not in any way encourage laziness or idleness. Hence, the Church teaches us that sloth, that is, the reluctance to work, is one of the seven capital sins.

Sadly, with the introduction of prosperity gospel, hard work is sacrificed on the altar of free luck. In order to make fast and cheap money some engage in all sorts of evils like drugs, armed robbery, fraud and even “corporate begging.” While some perpetually depend on others directly or indirectly. This is what Paul means by: “Now we hear that some of you are living in idleness, doing no work themselves but interfering with anyone else’s.” A lazy person yields easily to all sorts of vices that is why we say: "an idle hand is the work place of the devil." We need to work, while we are still alive, active and agile and have the opportunity to effect change. In the Gospel, Christ prophesied the end of a time in the history of Israel. He also spoke of the imminent hardships and persecution before, during and after this time. However, He concludes with these encouraging words: “Your endurance will win you your lives.” Hence, the Lord encourages us to persevere in righteousness, and endure in difficult moments. By warning that the Temple of Jerusalem would be destroyed in spite of its elegance and greatness, Christ also reminds us that nothing of this world will last forever no matter how precious they are to us.

May the Lord create for us a community that believes in the dignity of labour and be with us, lest we labour in vain! Amen!! Good morning and happy Sunday!!!