Gospel: Luke 17: 26-37
We have all met end times forecasters. They scan the scriptures looking for clues to the end of the world, and then announce that that day will occur on a specific date. These folk have been around for 2000 years, and - if you're keeping score at home - their accuracy rate is exactly 0%. Yet, we continue to buy their books, give them prominent space in Christian media, and find our way down this rabbit hole again and again. We are informed by the story of the boy who cried wolf: it's not true today, but someday it might be...
But all of this is predicated on a fear that Jesus does not condone or foster. In today's Gospel portion he notes how in the end life will be as it always is, and then it will come. The difference between the person of faith and the one without faith is in our disposition. The person of faith is open to the possibility of death and loss, and their faith is not affected by it in any way. Their life is animated by trust and in the mission of being a person of mercy and loving kindness each and every day.
Whether the end of the world occurs tomorrow or some other day has no effect on what we are called to do or be each and every day. A disciples is to be a person of mercy and care for others each day. Nothing changes or alters that fact. No calamity or bit of news can affect that reality for the person of authentic faith. If one is perseverating over the end times, it is perhaps because one's faith is not oriented rightly to loving kindness and mercy. Once it is, then all shall be peace, all shall be well.
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