November 29, 2019 – 34th Week in Ordinary Time

A reading from the Holy Gospel according to Luke (21:29-33)

Jesus told his disciples a parable.
“Consider the fig tree and all the other trees.
When their buds burst open,
you see for yourselves and know that summer is now near;
in the same way, when you see these things happening,
know that the Kingdom of God is near.
Amen, I say to you, this generation will not pass away
until all these things have taken place.
Heaven and earth will pass away, 
but my words will not pass away.”

Homily

What kind of future do you imagine for your life? Is it to be materially secured and contended with everything? To have gained awards and be recognized by many? To have a stable relationship and work?

Each of us, hopes for a life that is secured. That is why, we do our best to invest in our studies, professions, business and even relationships. Indeed, we want security. We want to be secured in one way or another.

However, we are also aware that everything here on earth is in constant flux, according to Heraclitus, an ancient philosopher. It means that everything and everyone else is subject to constant change. This change may mean towards development, progress and transformation or to destruction and ruin. These include not just the material things that we possess or our life but even our relationships with one another. 

That is why, one of the common causes of anxiety, depression, pain and stress is our relationship with one another. There is an innate desire in each of us to relate and be with others because that is how we are made. However, because of our human limitations and failures we cause troubles in our relationships. We hurt one another and sometimes cause unrepairable damage towards others. 

Let us accept that we are in search also of a secured and constant relationship. People who committed their life into marriage or into religious life or by being single and remaining fruitful and happy, is an action that hopes and commits to a relationship that is secured. However, such commitment is an everyday battle because even our commitment can change.

Nevertheless, persons who refuse to settle in a committed relationship have greater insecurity for a secured and faithful relationship. Consequently, such insecurity make these people promiscuous or to have many partners without any commitment. But then, such attitude also denies the hope for a healthy and faithful commitment in a relationship. As a result, when we become a person like this then we also become a person who only causes pain and damage to others and to ourselves. But then, despite these, there is still a hope for a constant and secured relationship.

With all of these also, these remind me of the readings we have heard today. Jesus in the Gospel of Luke tells us of the passing of heaven and earth. Hence, everything will pass. This will surely give us pain and confusion. What will change will really be great. What will be destroyed will be many.

However, though many things will change and pass away like for example your marriage that is about to fail because of unfaithfulness, or your family is in trouble because of quarrels over finance and properties, or our dreams and hopes for a better future have become blurred, or our health is weakening due to an aggressive illness, or our studies have become difficult due to financial problems, or our workplace has become horrible due to a toxic relationship with our colleagues… all of these will surely create tensions and anxieties in our hearts and minds. We will certainly feel insecure and confused. We might start believing that everything has become hopeless because of an overwhelming problem.

But then, Jesus tells us in the Gospel, even though everything will pass away, but my words will not pass away. Even if everything will fade and fail, my words and my presence with you will never fade and will never fail. Jesus’ commitment to us, his love and affection will never fade. 

Jesus actually tells us of God’s faithfulness in us that despite our failures and unfaithfulness, God remains for us and with us.

God’s love for you and for me, God’s favor upon us and His affection towards us, remains, because God is faithful.

Being secured with God’s faithfulness, allow God also to fill you and to satisfy your every longing for constancy and security may it be in your relationships, studies, work or business. Despite the uncertainties in life, be secured with God by constantly being with Jesus. 

We who have realized this, make this realization be carried out into our life in building friendships and being faithful to your relationships. Hopefully, with this consciousness in us, we will become instruments of God’s faithfulness. Sana all.

Jom Baring, CSsR