Next week will be the end of the long 34 weeks of Ordinary time. Ordinary time represents our life journey on this earth. And this month of November reminds us of the end of life and of the last things. This 33rd week reminds us that our life journey is ending, that the war is nearing the final battle. And that there is little time left.
A Bible study group was discussing the end of the world - the unforeseen possibility of their sudden death. The leader of the discussion said, ” We will all die some day, and none of us really know when and how. What would you do if you knew you only had 2 weeks of life remaining before your death, and then the Great Judgment Day?”
A young guy said, ” I would go to confession and then go out into my community and minister the Gospel telling them the end is near.” One lady spoke up, “I would dedicate all of my remaining time praying to God for my family, my friends, my parish and myself.” But one gentleman in the back finally spoke up loudly and said, “I would go to my mother-in-law’s house for the 2 weeks.”
Everyone was puzzled by this answer, and they ask, “Why your mother-in-law’s home?” “Because that will be the longest 2 weeks of my life!”
When you are on the winning side and with people you like, time is short, but when you are on the losing side and have to deal with people you don’t get along with, time is long. But truth is, time will end.
The bible is full of these stories about the end of time - the Apocalypse. We call these stories like the one of today in book of Daniel - Apocalyptic writings. All throughout history the Jews, who consider themselves as “the children of light” were always beseiged and defeated by their enemies… by the Babylonians, by the Assyrians, by the Persians, who in the process destroyed their temple and herded them into exile. In the time of Jesus, the Romans were considered the evil empire oppressing the Jews. In fact in 70 CE the Roman legions under Emperor of the empire Titus, destroyed the Second Temple of Jerusalem.
And so the Apocalyptic messages of the Bible were like secret coded messages which only the Jews and not their opponents could understand to encourage them to keep on fighting the war against the darkness. It was a war of Good versus Evil, of the Light side versus the Dark Side - It was a battle that began at the beginning of time when the forces of Lucifer the dark angel refused to serve God and turned against Him. From that time onward, God’s forces led by Archangel Michael was in constant battle with the Dark side led by Lucifer who was now named Satan.
It’s pretty much like the star wars movie. In the movie it was a battle of the dark forces of the Empire called the Siths commandeered by Darth Vader against the forces of the light side - the Jedi knights. Here you see the Dark side always seemingly winning and gaining the upperhand when they got rid of almost all the Jedis. But then there was Luke Skywalker a young lad who decided to lead the battle against the mighty Dark side. So he trained with this Jedi in exile named Yoda.
Yoda: A Jedi's strength flows from the Force. But beware of the dark side. Anger, fear, aggression; the dark side of the Force are they. If once you start down the dark path, it will dominate your destiny, consume you it will. Luke: Is the dark side stronger?
Yoda: No. Only quicker, easier, more seductive.
Luke: But how am I to know the good side from the bad?
Yoda: You will know... when you are calm and at peace. A Jedi uses the Force for knowledge and defense, NEVER for attack.
Luke: But tell my WHY I can't...
Yoda: There is no "why". In short you just have to believe.
So how will we win? We don’t. Throughout these 34 weeks you see the message of Jesus as: Deny yourselves. Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you…. “Those who make their life secure will lose it, but those who lose their life will keep it.” Is that a way to win the battle by literally trying to lose it? The pervading symbol we see is our leader being maltreated unjustly and crucified on the cross. Do you see any victory in that? The first reading from Daniel emphatically puts it: “There shall be a time of anguish, such as has never occurred since nations first came into existence.” Even the gospel of today predicts: “There will be a long time of suffering. The sun will be darkened. The moon will not give its light. The stars will fall from heaven. The powers of heaven will be shaken.” Frightening, isn’t it?
That is probably why many switch sides from the light side to the dark side as Yoda would say - it’s quicker, it’s easier, it’s more seductive, and because there seems to be no victory in sight for us here. Now, do we leave Jesus Christ our leader just because he seems to be loosing the battle to the dark side?
There is this song written by R.City - two brothers Theron and Timothy:
Their father was locked up for five years. And after their dad lost everything, their mother could easily have given up on their dad who seemed a loser. But during the time he was in prison, their mother would take them to see their father and not give up on him. And so they’re still together to this day - for 36 years. Today, It’s the same with Jesus asking us: Tell me honestly, would you still love me the same? Will we remain loyal?
At the end, one thing will be sure. "the Force will awaken"- From the first reading book of Daniel: “Michael, the great prince, the protector of your people shall arise. Your people shall be delivered. The wise shall shine like the brightness of the sky and those who fought for righteousness - the side of the light - will shine like the stars forever.” And the gospel concludes: “The Son of Man will be seen coming in clouds with great power and glory. He will send out his Angels,, and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of heaven.”
Now will that come true? All we have to do is believe and side with the light. Do you want to know how the prediction and the prophecy will be fulfilled? Watch out next week for the Season finale, the last episode - “The Return of the King: Jesus Christ - king of the universe.”
