By Fr. Andrew Kelly
THIRTY-THIRD SUNDAY ORDINAL TIME – NOV. 17, 2013
Human death and that there are no other certainties are the only two certainties in human life. Luke wrote Sunday’s Gospel (Luke 21:5-19) using these lenses.
Between Christ’s death and Luke’s writing, sacred and secular monuments and symbols had been destroyed. Innumerable political, natural and cosmic upheavals had occurred. By then there was also a long history of betrayals within believers’ families.
In all these uncertainties of human life, Luke believed the Lord was always present and never abandoned believers and believing communities.
Luke would probably be the first to admit how hard and difficult it was to continue believing as the vicissitudes and tragedies of human life continued to eventually overwhelm. In all the darkness, dangers and disappointments, Luke encouraged believers with these words in Sunday’s Gospel:
“So make up your minds not to prepare your defense in advance; for I will give you words and a wisdom that none of your opponents will be able to withstand or contradict…
But not a hair of your head will perish. By your endurance you will gain your souls.”
Thank God for Luke’s third certainty in believers’ lives. The Lord is always present and never abandons regardless human life’s uncertainties.
(Father Andrew Kelly is a retired priest of the Diocese of Davenport.)
