Proper 28 Yr C
By your endurance

Scripture: November 13, 2022—Proper 28 Year C—Isaiah 65:17-25 (image); Canticle 9 (image); Malachi 4:1-2a (image); Psalm 98 (image); 2 Thessalonians 3:6-13 (image); and Luke 21:5-19 (image). 

Collect: Blessed Lord, who caused all holy Scriptures to be written for our learning: Grant us so to hear them, read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest them, that we may embrace and ever hold fast the blessed hope of everlasting life, which you have given us in our Savior Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Reflection: 

Track 1: In a world that values busyness above all else, how do we, in a healthy and faithful way, hold Paul’s demand to work well with the command for Sabbath? “Brothers and sisters, do not be weary in doing what is right” (2 Thess. 3:13). Even Paul realizes that it can become tedious to work for justice. What are ways that we might stay energized in a seemingly impossible task? Jesus’ words in Luke are particularly challenging; he assures his disciples and believers that they will be persecuted, handed over, betrayed, and hated (Luke 21:12–19). Where is there good news in a text filled with such scary assurances? 

Track 2: Jesus speaks of wars, insurrections, earthquakes, famines, and plagues, but instructs his followers, “Do not be terrified!” How does our witness to the gospel include resistance to our natural impulse to be terrorized by evil? Have you ever suffered persecution as a Christian because you refused to go along with social pressure to be fearful of enemies, terrorists, criminals, illegal aliens, or other pariahs?

Practice: What helped you through your “terror”? (see Reflection above) If you are inclined, share.

For families: Study guide and activities (former guide), group activity, snacks—look in group activity

For children: see family guide/activities (other activity—one & two), bulletin

For middlers: see family guide/activities (other activity—one & two), bulletin

For youth: Read the gospel again. What resonates with you? What troubles you? Do you think the disciples realized that Jesus was talking about them? If you choose, share your thoughts.

As the church year ends, the liturgy turns our attention to the fact that the world is also moving towards its end. The gospel reading today is from the last portion of Jesus’ teaching according to Luke. This “apocalyptic” teaching was central to Jesus’ message and was a common theme in first century Judaism. God will come and bring all creation to its conclusion in the establishment of the Kingdom. The good news is that whatever tribulations occur in the end times, God is always present and will preserve all the redeemed into eternal life.

Track 1: The first reading concludes our readings of the prophets, which we started last June. Though today’s reading is from Isaiah, this is another author writing almost two hundred years later, around the time of Haggai. This author takes the prophetic message into new territory, as he deals not with events in his own time, but looks toward the end of time when God will establish sovereignty over the entire universe.

Track 2: The first reading is the conclusion of the final Old Testament prophetic book. It foretells the coming judgment when the Kingdom will be established. The final sign will be the reappearance of Elijah. Jesus, in telling his followers that in John the Baptist Elijah has come (Matthew 17:11-13), is announcing that the End has begun.

The reading from II Thessalonians tells first century Christians how they should live in the end times. In particular, Paul has no patience with those who stop working or ministering in anticipation of the end. The church proclaims that in Christ’s death and resurrection the end has begun.

We are living in the end of time. In the Eucharist, in particular, we are already being met by Jesus, our loving, saving judge and are taken into his Kingdom. In the Eucharist, he comes “again in glory to judge the living and the dead.” It is our knowledge that we are living in the end of the ages that gives Christian living its character, impelling us into worship and into ministry in the name of Christ.