If you’ve ever looked at old pictures or home movies you notice how much has changed, say from the 70’s or 80’s and if you’re a movie buff, you’ll notice that the one constant through the decades is also change.
It’s nostalgic for us to look back at the old cars, radios, tv’s, phones, and stereos…and we also recognize how people and organizations have changed too, including religious and political leaders, and even our parishes or physical churches that we’ve gone to each Sunday….
Change is part of life on earth and in both readings from Daniel and Luke, we receive a clear message which should cause us to wonder, how do we prepare for the change that the Word of God speaks to us about today?
A Changing World
In the first reading, the prophet Daniel recounts the dream of king Nebuchadnezzar for him…and then provides an interpretation for the king and us. First, God wants the king to know that God had made him the king of kings, which is represented by the gold head of the statue.
But as we’ve heard the statue is also made up of different metals and even tile…these represent the kingdoms and relationship of the kingdoms that will follow king Nebuchadnezzar…resulting in changing power bases and relationships among the kingdoms…a reminder of the transitory nature of earthly kingdoms.
But in the end, the king is told that the God of heaven, who made him king of kings for a time, will set up a kingdom that will last forever and will break into pieces all other kingdoms, just as that stone hewn from the mountain--smashed the brilliant and terrifying statue.
Looking to God
And, in the gospel, it’s not a statue but a temple…that we are drawn to consider, one adorned with costly stones and votive offerings…man-made like the statue in the first reading. Did you notice that it is after Jesus hears the people speaking about how the temple is adorned, signaling their focus on the temporal realities that Jesus tells them…that one day none of what you see will be here…
And, in response to Jesus’ shocking statement…the people don’t ask why…. but when and what signs will there be to alert them?
Jesus doesn’t answer as to “when,” though He does talk about signs…but first he tells them not to be deceived…by others who claim that they come in His Name….saying “I am He” and “The time has come”…Jesus also encourages them not to be terrified when they see wars and insurrections…though He doesn’t sugar coat it—for there will be powerful destructive events and lastly awesome signs coming from the sky.
Rooted in the Unchanging
My brothers and sisters, change, whether in our families, friendships, parishes, and communities, is part of our journey on earth that is meant to lead to Heaven. None of us knows when we will leave this earth or when Jesus will come again and mark the end of this world, but what we receive today is a compassionate warning and an encouragement from Jesus, to be able to accept the changing nature of our world but rooted in following Him and a warning not to be deceived or discouraged by others who are not united to Jesus.
Instead, Jesus calls us to be ready, by being focused on what lasts forever, the love God that we experience and all called to share each day.
- Father David's inspirational homily was recorded live during Mass at the Father Peyton Center this morning. You can view the Mass (at the 30-minute mark) on the Family Rosary YouTube page.
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