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Malachi 3:19-20:2; II Thessalonians 3:7-12; Luke 21:5-19

When Solomon’s Temple was destroyed in the year 70, people thought the world was coming to an end, and believers began looking for Christ’s second coming.  When it became evident that Christ was not going to come immediately, Luke wrote Jesus’ end-time teachings in his Gospel, one of which we just heard.  Then Luke wrote his second book, The Acts of the Apostles, as a way of showing future generations of Christians how the early church lived and went about doing the Lord’s work on a daily basis.

But centuries later people continued to predict the end of the world.  In 960, Bernard, a visionary in the former German state of Thuringia announced that the world would end when Good Friday fell on March 25.  This was to occur in the year 992;  Bernard’s prophecy caused panic throughout Europe.  He was wrong.

In 1179, the astronomer and astrologer John of Toledo calculated that the end would occur in September 1186.  To prepare, the Byzantine emperor had all the palace windows boarded over and the archbishop of Canterbury declared a national fast of atonement.  He, too, was wrong.

In 1806, in Leeds, England, Mary Bateman said her hen began laying eggs inscribed with the words, “Christ is coming.”  When the frightened and curious came to visit the hen, Mary announced that she had entry tickets to heaven, the price of which was one shilling.  Several people bought tickets but, when nothing happened, Mary was sent to prison for fraud and theft.  She was wrong.

When Munoz Ferradas, a Chilean astronomer, announced that a comet would collide with earth and destroy it in August 1944, many sold their homes and fled to the mountains.  Several committed suicide;  drinking increased dramatically as did sexual orgies, murders and robberies.  He was wrong.

Basing their calculations on the Book of Revelation and the Great Pyramid in Giza, Leland Jensen and Charles Gaines scheduled the end of the world for April 29, 1980 at 5:55 p.m., and then postponed it until the early morning hours of May 7th.  Members of their cult, from Missoula, Montana to Durango, Colorado, stocked their fallout shelters and waited.

In the past two years there has been much publicized about the end of the world coming in December of 2012 based on an ancient Mayan calendar that runs out at that time, and some sort of cosmic alignment of the planets in our solar system.  Most likely, they will also be wrong.

For the past two thousand years believers have watched and waited for the return of the Lord which would mark the end of the world.  Every year our church celebrates this and keeps watch through the liturgical calendar.  As we near the end of this liturgical year with the Feast of Christ the King and begin our movement into the New Year with the start of Advent our readings remind of this hope that we hold as Christians.  Our faith teaches us that Christ has died and Christ has risen.  In hope we are reminded that Christ will come again and so we watch and wait.

But as baptized believers we cannot just sit back and wait for this day to come.  We cannot separate ourselves from the world, barricading ourselves in bunkers and fallout shelters.  In the words of Paul we need to “work day and night” . . . keeping ourselves “busy” with the Lord’s work, lest we become busy-bodies.  Each one of us is responsible for doing the Lord’s work according to his or her own abilities.  Some are called to teach, others to preach, others to do works of charity and mercy.  Each one of us has the God given responsibility of living our faith, because of the gift of mercy and salvation which God has granted to us.

It is important to do the Lord’s work because in doing his work we will see him and come to know him more deeply.  By preaching and teaching we come to understand more deeply the mysteries of our faith.  By serving others through works of charity and mercy we see the face of God in those we serve.  In comforting the sick and sorrowing we see the suffering Christ.  In feeding the hungry and clothing the naked we see the poverty of Christ.  In providing shelter for the homeless we see the Christ in those in our world who have no home.

When we do the Lord’s work we come to recognize the Lord in those we serve.  And this is a critical part of our faith because we believe that Christ will come again.  When Christ comes, at the end of time, we will encounter him face to face.  If we do not spend the time looking for his face here and now, we may not recognize him in the next life, & even more tragically, he may not recognize us.

Now I would like to let you in on a secret.  Christ is going to come today.  Christ is going to come tomorrow, and the next day, and the day after that.  For Christ comes every single day.  Christ comes to us first and foremost through the sacraments, and especially through this celebration of the Eucharist.  Christ comes to us also in the work-place when we stop being busybodies and look for the good in our co-workers.  Christ comes to us on the playground whenever we invite that child who is standing by himself to play with the rest of the group.  Christ comes on the street when strangers greet each other and smile.  Christ comes whenever enemies set aside their differences and work towards reconciliation and peace.  Christ comes every time a child is born.  Christ comes every time a person dies, leaving this world and entering the next.  Christ comes every single day of our life.

As baptized believers we need only look for the presence of Christ around us.  As baptized believers we need only be the presence of Christ in this world.  If we do these things we need not be afraid, we need not worry when the world will come to an end, for we will be ready.

In the words of our Lord, work diligently, build the kingdom here on earth as you prepare for the kingdom which will come.  Endure your hardships.  Help others in need.  “By patient endurance you will save your lives.”

My neighbor’s five-year-old child was very sick and in danger of death. Would the priest have given the child the sacrament of the sick?

Dealing with a child’s illness is a very difficult time for parents and families. Rarely do they think ahead to the possibility of death, so sacramental ministry often happens in the midst of a crisis and with a great deal of urgency. They are not done as a “last ditch effort” to save a child, nor are they held off until the last possible minute as though they would bring bad luck or signal the end of life is imminent. The sacraments are meant to bring spiritual strength, healing and support to the patient, parents and family.

When a child is sick and in danger of death, confirmation is usually given. If the child is an infant, the baby is baptized. At times, it might be appropriate to give a child Communion. The sacrament of the anointing of the sick is given to children only when they are old enough to understand and able to draw some kind of comfort from receiving the sacrament. Each circumstance is different, but the overall goal is the spiritual care and support of the child and the family.

©2009 Liturgical Publications Inc
Used by Permission

Wisdom 11:22-12:2;  2 Thessalonians 1:11-2:2;  Luke 19:1-10

The human mind cannot fully grasp, let alone even begin to comprehend the vastness of the universe.  When we contemplate the heavens, the moon and the stars, we can become overwhelmed with the enormity of space.  Our own Milky Way is a galaxy with billions of stars like our sun.  There are billions of galaxies in the universe.  In all of the vastness our planet earth seems pretty insignificant, nothing more than a speck of dust in the great cosmic desert.

But of all this universe, in all of God’s creation, faith teaches us that the greatest of creatures, that which God loves the most is us, humanity.  And when I compare myself to the 6.1 billion people who presently live on the face of the earth, and the countless billions who have lived before me, and those who will live after me, I feel pretty insignificant, like a single grain of sand, in the vast desert of humanity.

And against all of this the author of the Book of Wisdom reminds us that the entire universe is but a grain from a balance, or a drop of morning dew, in comparison to the vastness and greatness of God.  All of this can make one feel pretty insignificant and even unnecessary in the great cosmic plan of the universe.  Our feeling of insignificance is magnified when we think of our own sin, and our own unworthiness to even be recognized by God.  How can we, who by our own sin have turned our backs on God, our Creator, even consider asking God for the least of favors?

But to this the author of Wisdom reminds us that God has mercy on all, because God can do all things; and overlooks people’s sins that they might repent.  What a comforting thought it is, that God who can do all things, chooses to overlook our sins in order that we might repent.  That is the important thing to note.  When God chooses to overlook our sin he is doing so for our own good.  God is overlooking our sin, not so that we can keep on sinning, but rather that we can know His mercy.

And as if the knowledge of his mercy were not enough, God proved his love for us when he sent his only beloved Son to this earth to be like us in all things but sin.  He sent his Son to become sin, and to pay the price for sin by his own death on the cross.  God did all of this so that we might know his mercy and love and turn our hearts back to Him.

Zacchaeus, a tax collector and notorious sinner, heard about this man, Jesus, and he sought him out.  Luke describes him as small of stature.  He was short.  But perhaps his shortness was much more than a lack of physical height.  Perhaps his shortness was an indication of his spiritual life in the way he had cheated and squandered his way to wealth.  Perhaps his shortness might also have been an emotional state.  Because he was a known sinner he would have experienced the judgmental looks and whispers behind his back by those who considered themselves better than him.  He would have experienced those who “looked down” upon him.  And so his shortness might have been much more than just a “physical disability.”

But no matter what was meant by the phrase “small of stature,” he decided to “seek out” Jesus.  He went to great lengths, battling the crowd, and even climbing a fig tree.  Jesus saw this great effort on his part and responded with the words “I must stay at your house.”  In this solitary statement by Jesus, Zacchaeus had a conversion experience, a change of heart.  He knew  the many ways he had cheated people in the past.  He knew the many ways he had sinned against others.  He would have known also, that by Jewish law, he did not deserve to be in the company of good people, for his mere presence would have caused them to sin.  In these few words of Jesus, Zacchaeus knew that he was forgiven and he responded with an act of contrition, “I will give half my possessions to the poor, and pay back four-fold to all I have cheated.” 

All of his life people had stood in judgment over Zacchaeus and the only effect it seemed to have was to make him continue in his sinful ways.  Jesus looked beyond his sin and saw only a little man who needed God’s mercy and so he invited himself to Zacchaeus‘ house.  In doing this Jesus was not condoning his sin.  He was not saying, Zacchaeus you can keep on sinning.  Rather, he was providing an opportunity for God’s mercy.

Each of us has sinned, and each of us is in need of God’s mercy.  In this we are all little people.  If we continue to live in our sin, we cannot know God’s mercy.  It is only by the grace of God that we can move beyond our sin and live once again in union with God.  And God has provided that grace through his Son.

This teaches us an important lesson when we see other people caught up in their own sin.  Maybe it is the sins associated with addictive behaviors.  Perhaps it is the sin of two young people choosing to live together before marriage.  Maybe it is the sin of abusive behavior towards others.  Or maybe its simply a habit of the many little sins we all find ourselves doing, swearing, gossiping, lying, cheating, missing prayers, etc. etc. etc.

When we see people caught up in sin, we need to love them enough to help lead them to God’s mercy.  We, like God, must not look down upon them in judgment.  Neither should we just sit back and say nothing.  We must look beyond their sin, and love them, so that they can know God’s mercy.  If we truly love the person we also will not simply sit by and let them continue n their sin.  If a person is in need of medical attention, when we love them we will do anything in our power to get them the help they need.  Should not the same be said when someone is spiritually sick because of their sin?  We need to love the sinner enough to gently challenge them to move away from their sin and seek the mercy only God can give.

This takes love, and patience, and kindness, and mercy, on our own part.  It is not easy, especially when we know those we love are hurting because of their own sin.  And when those we love are sinning, and it hurts us, we need to be reminded that we are not alone.  In all the universe, which is but a grain from a balance, or a drop of morning dew, God looks upon each of us with mercy, overlooking our own sin, that we might repent, and know his mercy and love.

The following letter from Ken Hackett, President of Catholic Relief Services, shares crucial information about the growing disaster in East Africa:

You are probably starting to hear about a humanitarian crisis unfolding in East Africa, mostly affecting Kenya, Ethiopia and Somalia. Catholic Relief Services staff in the region report dreadful conditions. This just came in from a refugee camp in Kenya:
They’ve walked for days or weeks from Somalia, and their shoes show it. Dusty and worn, the sandals of a little boy dangle in his hand as he wails in the center of the camp. Nearby, his exhausted 22-year-old mother, Momina, rocks her sobbing baby. “We had sheep, goats and cattle—over a dozen,” she says. “They all died from the drought…. Food was running out. So, we left.”
These terrible conditions have sparked an exodus of refugees—mostly women and children—pouring into Kenya and Ethiopia in search of food.
East Africa’s worst drought in more than half a century is causing extreme hunger for more than 11 million people. Severe lack of rainfall has resulted in failed crops, critical shortages in food and water, and countless numbers of livestock dying from dehydration and starvation. Further compounding the crisis are drastic increases in food prices.
All this brings to mind sobering images from the Ethiopian famine of 1984. Who can forget the pictures of emaciated, listless children on TV? The full scope of such a humanitarian catastrophe was not fully realized until after so many had died.
This time is different. This time, we know what is likely to come as the disaster unfolds. I am asking you to help CRS with a generous gift so that we can quickly increase the scope of our efforts there to feed and provide water to as many needy people as possible. Help us prevent another tragedy.
Since 1960, CRS has provided water and agricultural programs in Kenya and Ethiopia, where current drought conditions are not as dire as in Somalia. Your previous gifts are already saving lives because those programs helped us dig deep wells that have helped lessen the drought’s effects. But this drought is so widespread that our existing efforts are not enough. We need your help.
I ask you to please give now and help prevent another disaster like the 1984 Ethiopian famine. Please help our brothers and sisters in East Africa, who so desperately need our help.

For more information or to help, go to http://www.crs.org.

As I write this article, I’m enjoying a lovely North Dakota summer day. The sun is shining, the blue sky is dappled with whispy white clouds, and the gold and orange lillies are blooming outside my office window. It’s a good time to think about the simple things to do to care for this beautiful world God has provided for us.
Here are a few suggestions from the World Wildlife Fund:
 

• Put on a sweater, or take one off. Since the pendulum in N.D. seems to swing between furnace and air conditioning and rarely stops in between, this can help conserve energy.   

• Walk the walk. Drive less, enjoy bicycling, or get to know your neighborhood better by strolling through it

• Go for seconds – guilt free! How many items can be reused instead of thrown away? Padded envelopes, the plastic cell-packs from our seedlings, a plastic water bottle…

• Watch your waste. Oil, paints, ink cartridges, batteries do have special disposal procedures.

• Paper or plastic? No thanks! Bring your own bags along for shopping. Many have commented that bringing cloth bags to the grocery store has now become a habit.

• Flip the switch. As we are enjoying the longer days of summer, we still need to remember to turn off unneeded lights (and other energy-using items).

• Plant a seed, or a tree, a shrub, a tomato plant. The benefits are many and varied.
   
• Return to sender. if you receive too much mail or too many catalogs, contact the companies and have your name removed from their lists. Less clutter at home is an added bonus.

The leaders of more than fifty Christian denominations and organizations, including the presidents of Catholic Relief Services and Catholic Charities, and Bishop Stephen E. Blaire, Chairman of the USCCB Committee on Domestic Justice, have signed the document printed below, calling for our political leaders to protect poor and vulnerable people, as they act to reduce the deficit.

A Circle of Protection: A Statement on Why We Need to Protect Programs for the Poor

In the face of historic deficits, the nation faces unavoidable choices about how to balance needs and resources and allocate burdens and sacrifices. These choices are economic, political — and moral.

As Christians, we believe the moral measure of the debate is how the most poor and vulnerable people fare. We look at every budget proposal from the bottom up — how it treats those Jesus called “the least of these” (Matthew 25:45). They do not have powerful lobbies, but they have the most compelling claim on our consciences and common resources. The Christian community has an obligation to help them be heard, to join with others to insist that programs that serve the most vulnerable in our nation and around the world are protected. We know from our experience serving hungry and homeless people that these programs meet basic human needs and protect the lives and dignity of the most vulnerable. We believe that God is calling us to pray, fast, give alms, and to speak out for justice.

As Christian leaders, we are committed to fiscal responsibility and shared sacrifice. We are also committed to resist budget cuts that undermine the lives, dignity, and rights of poor and vulnerable people. Therefore, we join with others to form a Circle of Protection around programs that meet the essential needs of hungry and poor people at home and abroad.
1. The nation needs to substantially reduce future deficits, but not at the expense of hungry and poor people.
2. Funding focused on reducing poverty should not be cut. It should be made as effective as possible, but not cut.
3. We urge our leaders to protect and improve poverty-focused development and humanitarian assistance to promote a better, safer world.
4. National leaders must review and consider tax revenues, military spending, and entitlements in the search for ways to share sacrifice and cut deficits.
5. A fundamental task is to create jobs and spur economic growth. Decent jobs at decent wages are the best path out of poverty, and restoring growth is a powerful way to reduce deficits.
6. The budget debate has a central moral dimension. Christians are asking how we protect “the least of these.” “What would Jesus cut?” “How do we share sacrifice?” As believers, we turn to God with prayer and fasting, to ask for guidance as our nation makes decisions about our priorities as a people.
7. As believers, we turn to God with prayer and fasting, to ask for guidance as our nation makes decisions about our priorities as a people. 

  8. God continues to shower our nation and the world with blessings. As Christians, we are rooted in the love of God in Jesus Christ. Our task is to share these blessings with love and justice and with a special priority for those who are poor.

Budgets are moral documents, and how we reduce future deficits are historic and defining moral choices. As Christian leaders, we urge Congress and the administration to give moral priority to programs that protect the life and dignity of poor and vulnerable people in these difficult times, our broken economy, and our wounded world. It is the vocation and obligation of the church to speak and act on behalf of those Jesus called “the least of these.” This is our calling, and we will strive to be faithful in carrying out this mission.

To learn more about the Circle of Protection and to sign your name to it, go to the Sojourners site- http://www.sojo.org/