Three Minutes to Midnight

Homily – November 13, 2016 (33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time- C)

In 1986, I was in my last year of college. It was three years before the fall of the Berlin Wall. Do you know about the Doomsday Clock? This is a PR tool that has been used since 1947 by the Bulletin of Atomic Scientist to warn the public about how close we are to destroying our world with dangerous technologies of our own making. Well the Doomsday Clock was set for three minutes to midnight... Midnight referring to the END TIME. It had been set there in 1984 as US/Soviet relations were at their coldest, and it stayed there until the 1988 Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty was signed, moving the clock back to six minutes to midnight. In the years to follow, things improved even more, and the clock was moved back as far as 17 minutes to midnight in 1991 when even deeper cuts were made to the nuclear arms arsenals of the world's super powers. Since then, we’ve endured the Gulf War, 9/11, the continuing struggle in Afghanistan, attempts of ethnic cleansing in Syria, terrorist attacks in France, and civil unrest, terrorist attacks, and killing in our own country. It goes without saying that the instability of the past twenty-five years and the climate issues have brought the clock back to three minutes to midnight.

Which begs the question... Has there ever been an age without trial and turmoil? What century has not seen wars? What nation has not tried to grow in the face of struggle? When have we not been plagued by insurmountable illnesses or tossed by mighty movements of earth and sea? And has there ever been a time when a true Christian has not been ridiculed and rejected, whether by friends, family, or state? Of course not! (The End of the Ages, James Kavanaugh SJ, 1997 - liturgy.slu.edu)

In today's Gospel, Jesus assures us that "When you hear of wars and insurrections, do not be terrified; for such things must happen first, but it will not immediately be the end…

In today’s second reading, Paul tells the Thessalonians that “the Church presents itself as a model for you, so that you might imitate it…”

It says in the Book of Hebrews (13: 7-8). “Remember your leaders who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.”

Christ, and the love of God are with us here today, but we must know that time marches forward, and stands still for no one. So the cliche guy on the corner with the sign is correct the end of time is truly near. But our faith tells us that this is not the end of the story!

Today's Psalm asks that we "sing praise to the LORD with the harp, with the harp and melodious song… Let the rivers clap their hands, the mountains shout with them for joy…" This calls on us to give God the glory and honor for this very moment, and this day, and for all that surrounds us. God's Creation, God's people, and God's will have brought us here to make this moment count! And so we offer our praise and thanksgiving, confident that we must live faithfully NOW.

Just as the moments come and go, every sunset announces the closing of a day that will never come again. All its opportunities and losses pass away with the night (Kavanaugh, 1997),  but the Prophet Malachi offers us reassurance in today's first reading that "for those who fear God’s name, there will arise the sun of justice with its healing rays." This is not the fear that comes with war, or earthquakes, or the unknown. When we fear of God's name, we respond to His presence with awe, faith, love, and respect. We all witnessed it this morning, and for most of us, we’ll see it again tomorrow… The day will begin again, so our faith tells us to make plans for tomorrow. Plan to rise in the morning and be healed by God's love, and enlightened by justice, so as to become a better disciple tomorrow.

Our lives are simply the sum of all of the tomorrows, as we attempt to live out our purpose and face the end without fear, whether that be eight minutes or eighty years from now! We must praise and serve our God by living out the Gospel in serving one another. (Kavanaugh, 1997)

But don’t let my “rah rah” motivation hide another reality, for today’s Gospel promises that, “they will seize and persecute you… [But] it will lead to your giving testimony… And God will give you the wisdom to speak… You will be hated by all because of my name, but not a hair on your head will be destroyed. By your perseverance you will secure your lives.” I don't have to tell you, but persecution is real in our world, and we must never lose that sense of perseverance in the face of trials and tribulations as we seek to share our faith so that all might know God’s love and truly live in peace!

So this moment, this homily, and this day will come to an end. And God willing, when tomorrow comes, greet it with praise and thanksgiving, and make the most of every opportunity to live out your discipleship fully and confidently, free of any and all worry, allowing the Church to be your model to imitate, for when it is all said and done, the unity that is Jesus Christ is here now for all the world to share…

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end… Amen.