The Unauthorized Homily

By Bill Dunn

A commentary on the Scripture readings from the Sunday Lectionary

(Scripture readings for Sunday, November 18th: Malachi 3:19-20; 2 Thessalonians 3:7-12; Luke 21:5-19)

JESUS OFFERS PROFOUND MESSAGE: ‘LIGHTEN UP!’

This week’s Scripture readings offer some very frightening words. Ironically, one of the primary messages of the readings is that we should not be frightened. We should instead trust in the Lord and relax. (The phrases “Lighten up” and “Take a chill pill” are not actually in Scripture, but that’s kind of what is meant.)

In the first reading, from the prophet Malachi, we hear this cheery pronouncement: “Lo, the day is coming, blazing like an oven, when all the proud and all evildoers will be stubble.”

At first we might think that Malachi is referring only to blatant evildoers, such as trial lawyers and politicians, and so we think, “Yeah, bring it on, Lord! Fry those bums!” But if we are honest with ourselves, we’ll realize that everyone is a sinner; we each have our moments of pride and arrogance and selfishness. And so, it is quite possible that Malachi was including us in his scary prophesy.

In the gospel reading, Jesus speaks about the trials and tribulations of the end times. He offers additional cheery words: “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be powerful earthquakes, famines, and plagues….they will seize and persecute you….You will even be handed over by parents, brothers, relatives, and friends, and they will put some of you to death. You will be hated by all because of my name.”

Wow, that sounds like fun, huh? I thought the word Gospel meant “good news.” What’s so good about that news?

Surprisingly, Jesus begins this tale of doom and gloom by saying, “When you hear of wars and insurrections, do not be terrified.”

What? Do not be terrified? Is He kidding? How can we not be terrified by that list of disaster and suffering? The things Jesus described are even worse than the stories on the TV news reports each evening. And as we all know, the primary function of the TV news is to scare the living, um, stuff out of us. (I was tempted to use a different word that begins with “S,” but this is a family-friendly publication.)

By the way, if you weren’t aware of it, the reason TV news is so focused on scaring us to death is simple: anxiety sells. Anxiety causes people to watch more TV news, out of fear of missing the latest dire reports. Anxiety sells billions in consumer products. Some products are sold as a direct result of anxiety, such as anti-depressants, ulcer medication, security systems, and alcohol. Other consumer products have a more indirect relationship. Low-level anxiety often produces feelings of ennui and restlessness, and non-stop advertising tells us the only way to feel better is to buy something. (Buy what, exactly? Oh silly, it doesn’t matter, just buy something: a car, a boat, beer, shoes, or maybe a new big screen TV so from now on the advertisers can more effectively motivate you to buy additional, um, stuff.)

Most of all, anxiety prompts people to turn over their freedom and tax dollars to power-hunger politicians who promise to solve all of our problems and protect us from, well, everything. (Everything, that is, except from power-hungry politicians.) Our current political situation is something that truly should scare the living, um, stuff out of everyone.

But all in all, never in human history has a society been blessed with as much prosperity, opportunity, and, yes, security as we have right now. And yet, never has a society been as anxious and unhappy as we are right now. (If you have a chance, search the Internet for info on John Stossel’s excellent 20/20 report: “Are We Scaring Ourselves to Death?”)

Oh sure, there are plenty of dangers out there. For starters, many people around the world want to kill us—and some of them, if given the chance, would love to detonate a nuke on Main Street, USA. There are many illnesses and diseases, accidents and injuries. There are far too many predators running around free that should be behind bars. There is economic uncertainty and financial strife (often caused by buying too much useless, um, stuff). There is the danger of finding oneself alone in a public restroom with a certain U.S. Senator. Truly frightening.

The message of the Scripture readings this week is fairly simple: bad stuff is going to happen, get used to it. But when it does happen, you don’t need to fear as long as you trust in the Lord.

We often lose sight of the fact that despite the chaos swirling around us so often, God is in charge. Yes, He allows much of the chaos to happen—for now. (It’s that “free will” thing again. To paraphrase C.S. Lewis: God took a huge risk giving free will to mankind, but obviously He thought it worth the risk. Without free will you cannot have true love.)

The responsorial Psalm this week says: “The Lord comes to rule the earth with justice.” This is both a prophesy and a promise. The chaos of this world is only temporary. The Day of the Lord will come, and at that time God will set everything right.

In the meantime, just knowing that God is aware and that He cares can be very comforting. Additionally, being aware that three-quarters of the frightening, um, stuff we hear about is nothing more than media hype also can reduce our anxiety level greatly.

In John’s gospel, chapter 16, Jesus explained in very simple but powerful terms why we should not be anxious. He said, “In this world you will have tribulation” (OK, Jesus, no argument about that). “But be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”

That’s the key: the Lord is in charge. He has overcome the world. The stronger our faith is in Christ, the less anxiety and fear we will experience.

Yes, the Scriptures never use the phrase “Lighten up.” But that’s the message this week.

©2007