By Christina Semmens

“But for you who fear my name, there will arise the sun of justice with its healing rays.” ~ Malachi 3:20a

The Lord Comes to Rule the Earth

The first reading from Malachi and the Responsorial Psalm both vividly describe what the coming of the Lord to rule the earth will look like.

All the earth is singing joyfully—harps, song, trumpets, sound of horn, the sea, and all those on earth are resounding, the rivers clap their hands, and mountains shout for joy! That’s going to be pretty loud!

This cacophony could also be pretty overwhelming and maybe downright terrifying, but we can take solace that everything is in preparation for the Lord to come to rule the earth with justice.

A Model of Preparation

In Paul’s letter to the Thessalonians, he begins by reminding them of his own behavior when he had been in their midst. He had not been disorderly and worked quietly in toil and drudgery so as not to be a burden to anyone.

From reference to his own example, Paul then tells the people of Thessalonica (and us!) how we should conduct ourselves as we prepare for the Lord’s coming.

Paul particularly emphasizes the need to keep busy, not mind the business of others, or to accept free food. Rather, each of us should work quietly and only eat that which we have earned from our own labors.

Why is this all important?

So that we might be ready for the time of redemption.

Giving Testimony

Jesus paints a fairly terrifying picture in today’s Gospel.

He speaks of false prophets, wars, insurrections, earthquakes, famines, plagues, signs from the sky, nation versus nation, kingdom versus kingdom, and all the stones of the Temple being thrown down.

Jesus then goes on to add that before this happens, He will be seized and persecuted by parents, brothers, relatives, and friends.

I can definitely sympathize with Jesus’ listeners who ask when all this might happen-because I want to know too!

Yet, an even more pressing question might be, why is this all going to happen?

Jesus tells us.

So that we can give testimony.

Testimony to the reality that Jesus is God Himself who came to redeem the world. Testimony that Jesus is “the sun of justice with its healing rays,” spoken of by the prophet Malachi, whose name we need to fear, and the same Lord who will rule the earth with justice and the peoples with equity, for whom the entire world sings joyfully.

We may feel incapable of giving such testimony, but we need not be afraid.

It will be the Lord Himself who will give us wisdom through the power of the Holy Spirit so that we will give testimony that can neither be resisted nor refuted by any adversary.

How will this happen?

By our persevering.

Jesus says, “By your perseverance, you will secure your lives.”  We persevere by fearing the Lord’s name, model our lives after Saint Paul’s in Thessalonica, and give testimony.

Do these things, and we need not be terrified.

Rather, we should look to raise our heads, stand erect, and rejoice because our redemption is at hand.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, we ask for the grace to persevere as we prepare for your coming. Assist us in our efforts to fear your name and emulate Saint Paul so that we may see the sun of justice with its healing rays as you come to rule the earth with justice. May we be courageous in the face of any persecution and give testimony by our lives that will be deemed worthy of being called your disciples.

Call to Action

Resolve to grow in courage and live a life that bears witness to your Christian discipleship. Ask yourself the question, “If I were put on trial for being a Christian, would there be enough to convict me?”  Ask the Lord to grant you the wisdom you need to discern what changes might be necessary to live out your Christian discipleship more fully.  

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