Father Paul Nord, O.S.B.
Sunday Scripture
First Reading: Jeremiah 33:14-16; Response: Psalm 25:4-5, 8-10, 14; Second Reading: 1 Thessalonians 3:12–4:2; Gospel: Luke 21:25-28, 34-36
The prophecy of Jeremiah includes messages of both judgment and consolation. The “judgment” sections describe how the people of Jerusalem and Judah have sinned against God — and how destruction and suffering will result. Conversely, today’s reading is a “consolation” section of Jeremiah.
God promises his people: “I will raise up for David a just shoot” (Jeremiah 33:15). Here the Hebrew word “tsemach” means the “shoot, sprout or bud” of a tree or plant. This image indicates that the royal house of David will have “new growth” — like a tree. A new king — descended from King David — will rule in Jerusalem. “In those days Judah shall be safe and Jerusalem shall dwell secure.” This future king will provide security for the people of Judah and Jerusalem (Judah’s capital).
The same phrase — “just shoot” or “righteous branch” — is also found in Jeremiah 23:5. The “shoot/branch” image is also found in Zechariah 3:8 and 6:12. In all of these cases, this image is used to describe a messianic figure — a new king to rule in Jerusalem over God’s people. This future king “shall do what is right and just in the land.” This reinforces the description of the future king as “a just shoot.” The final verse says that Jerusalem will be given a new name: “The LORD our justice.” Recall that Jeremiah’s prophecy had previously portrayed Jerusalem as a sinful place. This new name for Jerusalem indicates that in the future the city will instead become a place of justice — as the Lord God commanded.
In the Responsorial Psalm, the refrain (25:1) says: “To you, O Lord, I lift my soul.” This “soul” image is repeated later in the psalm: “Preserve my soul and rescue me” (25:20). The psalmist is keenly aware of the fragility of human life, and so he entrusts his life to God. We make choices about how we live our lives. Jewish Wisdom literature often described this as choosing “the path” of justice or “the path” of sin.
The first verse speaks directly to God. Conversely, the second and third verses speak to us about God: “All the paths of the LORD are kindness and constancy.” Thus we should keep God’s covenant and decrees if we wish to have “friendship” with the Lord God. This is to “walk in the Lord’s path.” The psalm repeats this imagery — “teach me your paths,” “he shows sinners the way,” and “he teaches the humble his way.” The Lord God is someone who teaches and guides us through life. As “sinners,” we should be “humble” — and acknowledge our dependence on God’s guidance and care.
Next St. Paul writes to the Thessalonians to encourage them to lead holy lives which witness to the Good News of the Lord Jesus. All human holiness originates from cooperation with God’s grace. Thus Paul prays, “May the Lord make you (Thessalonians) increase and abound in love for one another.” Paul prays that the Lord may “strengthen your hearts” to grow in love. In this way, the Thessalonians will “be blameless in holiness before our God and Father” when the Lord Jesus comes again (as judge) at the end of this age.
The remaining verses exhort the Thessalonians to conduct themselves in a manner that is pleasing to God. Paul reminds them: “You know what instructions we gave you through the Lord Jesus.” By recalling what they received from Paul’s teaching, the Thessalonians should live faithfully according to the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Today’s gospel reading comes from Luke 21. In Luke 21:8-11, Jesus foretells wars, insurrections, powerful earthquakes, famines, plagues and mighty signs in the sky. In Luke 21:12-19, Jesus describes the persecutions that his followers must endure. This is followed in Luke 21:20-24 by Jesus’ description of the destruction of Jerusalem, which the Roman army destroyed in A.D. 66–70.
Today’s gospel includes the next section — Luke 21:25-28. Here Jesus alerts his disciples about the signs that will accompany the end of the present age. After this, God’s kingdom will come in its fullness. First, Jesus says “There will be signs in the sun, the moon, and the stars, and on earth nations will be in dismay, perplexed by the roaring of the sea and the waves.” These are “cosmic” signs which are seen from looking to the heavens. Some people will “die of fright” in distress about what will come next. But Christ’s disciples should trust.
Then Jesus gives the final “sign” that will herald the end of this age, and the arrival of the new age. This sign is: “Then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.” Here Jesus is citing Daniel 7:13-14, which was widely understood to foretell the coming of the Messiah. On behalf of God, the Messiah announces the arrival of the kingdom of God.
“Beware … (do not let) that day catch you by surprise like a trap!” Jesus twice uses “that day” to refer to the end of this age. He will return then to judge the living and the dead. This is made clear in the last verse: “Pray that you have the strength … to stand before the Son of Man.” This invokes the imagery of Daniel 7:13-14, where “the Son of Man” is an agent of God’s judgment. “The Son of Man” will come as judge to separate the holy ones of God from those who are unrighteous. Thus Jesus prays that his disciples will be ready to face judgment when he returns to judge humanity.
Because of this coming judgment, Jesus urges his disciples to “be vigilant at all times” (Luke 21:36). Jesus warns them: “Do not become drowsy from carousing and drunkenness and the anxieties of daily life.” We are called to be vigilant for Christ’s return — not distracted by worldly things. Jesus also prays that his disciples will have strength “to escape the tribulations” that will come at the end of the age. This suggests that followers of Christ must endure persecution and suffering.