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33d Sunday in Ordinary Time Lk 21/ 5-19 |
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| Background: The question of whether Jesus actually used the
apocalyptic rhetoric attributed to him in today’s gospel is still debated. Some think
that he did not, that he was more concerned with God’s love for us than he was with
the destruction of the temple or signs in the heaven. They argue that the rhetorical style
of signs and wonders in the heavens was part of the culture of the time (and not just
among the Jews) and that it meant indeed the end of the old creation but the beginning of
a new creation. However, it is not impossible that Jesus used this mode of speaking to
indicate that with his message of God’s love a new creation had begun. |
read the padre |
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Story: Once upon a time a new alderman was running in a
certain city. He promised that his business would not solicit clients from the ward and
indeed not accept them if they came. Moreover the also promised that he would give his
aldermatic salary to the neighborhood. He’d turn it over to a committee of clergy
from the ward to use however they saw fit. No one believed him. Why was he running for
alderman if he didn’t want the money. He replied that he was running because he
thought he’d love the job. What are you going to live off, they demanded. Off the
income from my business, I don’t need any more money. Still no one believe him.
All politicians were interested in making money, weren’t they? Sure they were. Look
at all the scandals in the papers. Nothing every changes. Cynicism is the only way to
react to someone who promises a new beginning. Well, the candidate won in a run-off, but
even those who voted for him were convinced that he was a crook. Funny
thing, though, he did give his first year’s salary to the local clergy and he
didn’t do any business with firms in his ward. Even today people still don’t
believe him.
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