The fall season is really quite impressive isn’t it? Sure, there are a lot of temperature swings, some really, really hot days, and some very cold nights, but overall there are all sorts of things that are enjoyable about it as a season! We can think about bonfires, hayrides, the decorations, pumpkin spice if that is your thing, amongst many, many other things that we can enjoy. At the forefront of all of these things, though, is likely the fall colors. If you took away the fact that the leaves change color and in vibrant and beautiful fashion, it likely wouldn’t be all that impressive, would it? There is something about those leaves changing color, and falling to the ground that just has part of the charm that we think of in autumn!
We may not readily think about it, but this is actually a season that is largely a season of decay, though. It may not seem like it, but we are watching many plants go dormant or perish, depending on what it is. The vibrant colors, the browns, reds, and yellows, all remind us that we are well into this season- and that things are passing away, at least for a time.
In this hemisphere and climate, however, this dovetails really well with our liturgical cycle. For the next couple of weeks, our prayers and readings begin to draw out the temporal reality of life- that much like fall reminds us, we have seasons- plants sprout, grow, flourish, and eventually, they decay. Our life, though it doesn’t seem like a comforting thought, also has it’s own seasons. However, if we really focus on the internal framework of what this season is trying to draw out for us as a church- even life’s temporal nature is not something to be feared at all- but if we life rightly and courageously in this life, we know some truly great things await us in the life to come!
Let’s break it down a bit though.
First, we begin with the book of the Prophet Daniel. Many times we can think of prophets as men who were giving prophecy to a people who lived a long time ago. However, his literary style is quite different here, since he tends to be a visionary in his works. This particular section is giving a vision to a particular event- namely the apocalypse. The people in his time would have found great solace and comfort in this writing, because it was one of the first writings to give testimony to the idea of a resurrection- that they, after dying, would not simply cease to exist, but would, in fact, live in a new way.
It came as very welcome news, especially to a people that was often suffering persecution. This writing gave them the strength to endure and to live to the end- the wise who shine brightly- they will live forever. They should have courage, and live boldly to the end!
The second reading is likely beginning to be very familiar in theme to the last two weeks- it is the letter to the Hebrews, and again we are talking about the priesthood. It is an interesting choice that they would still include this reading when speaking about the end times, and yet, there is an important connection here- that there will come a time that the consecrated will enter into eternal life; they will have their sins forgiven. Finally, Christ’s enemies will be made His footstool, meaning, they will reap the rewards of their conduct. Christ’s priesthood is here to benefit us for salvation, but there is an important connection that must be made- that we need to cooperate with this priesthood- with His forgiveness, and with His ability to forgive us our sins.
Finally, we arrive at the Gospel- and Jesus is speaking directly to the end times. He speaks about a time that “In those days after that tribulation the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light…” and He continues along that track. He continues to describe this moment where it feels as if everything will be shaken to its very foundation- what will happen, what we would see, and all of these different signs of that time. He even goes tell of an analogy- of a fig tree. His disciples all knew what it was like to watch a fig tree- it sprouts leaves, summer comes. There is a sign in that watching a tree’s own life-cycle.
Then, however, Jesus digs into a rather uncomfortable thought- as He is going through what will happen- He states a simple fact- that heaven and earth will pass away. All of these things will eventually decay and fall away. However- there is something that will not pass away- the words that God has spoken to us. While we see those things that may feel more concrete- even the earth itself- those things that feel secure, they will pass away. It seems rather uncomfortable to think about, but if we stop for a moment and consider- Jesus promises life to those who live life by His commands. He promises that He will show mercy to those who show mercy. The meek will inherit the earth. There is life even after death. What all of this means is that it isn’t a bleak outlook!
However, with all of these different focal points on the end- life after death, even after decay and passing away- what should we focus on right now?
I have one question- what are you doing with your time? If you look at all of these readings together- they highlight the fact that there is a moment in time where everything passes away- everything decays into nothing. There comes a moment when each of us will be judged on the life we live. That can be a truly intimidating thought! However, there is a better way that we should be looking at things. Yes, there is a moment coming when the world will end. Yet, Jesus reminds us that we don’t know when that hour will be. We don’t know. The angels don’t know. God alone is the one who knows. We can waste energy and we can waste time worrying, not just about the end of the world, but about countless other things. In fact, that is really what Jesus gives us a reminder about this week- don’t waste your time. Use every moment to your advantage. Getting to heaven or approaching the moment of judgement can seem daunting, but we should be taking it day by day!
Further, we should live as a people in the present moment. We shouldn’t always live in regret of the past. The past happened, but we are here today. We shouldn’t simply be waiting for the time when times will be better, perhaps when the pandemic may finally be over, or whenever we get out of this rut that we are in, when I finally find the answers I am looking for. The real challenge that Jesus gives us this week is to be mindful of the time- not simply in regret of the past, nor wanting for the future, or living in dread of the moment when we go before God. We have the knowledge to know this moment is coming- and now is the time to use to our advantage.
So, the challenge- use your time well! What does that look like? Does it mean going to confession today- and not just when you get to it? Does it mean finally dealing with that age old grudge? Rekindling a relationship that has largely gone cold? How about your relationship with God- have you been wanting to do something more in your spiritual life, and you just haven’t ever pulled the trigger? Perhaps it is praying as a family, reading the bible daily, doing something more!
That is the challenge. It doesn’t have to be autumn for us- and Jesus doesn’t have to be coming in a few days or even this next hour. What we should be doing is putting all of our time- and all of our seasons- to good use preparing for Jesus. We don’t know the day nor the hour- but let’s put our time to good use as we are preparing for Him and His coming.
