33rd Sunday. It's the end of a world; God remains

In geology/paleontology there was an idea called "Punctuated Equilibrium!  Which means evolution did not occur on a slow steady process, but rather was ignited or accelerated at certain times by moments of high stress. E.g. asteroids plowing into the Yucatan Peninsula 65 million years ago.

Change when it happens is inherently chaotic. People, well we tend to resist change, even if it is a change for the better. We can get quite accustomed to our lives, even dysfunctional ones, and to break out of our ruts requires a lot of inspiration, a lot of energy, a lot of courage; and often a trigger event. It is also just downright frightening to let go.

Talk to anyone who is in recovery from substance abuse. Talk with someone who has been in therapy. Talk with someone who escaped a bad relationship. Change is hard; it can be scary.  Even here locally, we experienced a change in Bishops and there is a little confusion as we try to get to know different approaches.

Think of our own lives. What were dramatic/big changes that while going through them it was disconcerting, scary; but when looking back it turned out okay. We came through into a better life. Maybe it was recovery? Maybe a relationship ending? College? New Job?

One world ended & another was born.

Almost always at the end of a liturgical year, for whatever reason, the Church gives us scary readings. The readings seem to be about the end of the world. All the universe goes up in flames like a Marvel movie.  But the Scripture writers in Gospels, in the Old Testament and New Testament including Revelations, did not intend that. They were not speaking literally.  God has no interest in dissolving away our universe.  

Jesus’ promise is that God remains present to us always. God remains with always, even in the most distressing of times, even when it seems the whole world is collapsing. God remains. And so will our world. God remains so as to bring forth God’s kingdom, God’s love into this world.

God wants and needs us to change.

So many people have lost lives, even these past weeks. So many families mourn their parents, their children, their friends.  So many people can be caught up in depression, hopelessness; caught up in addictions. This week I read another obituary in which a man took his own life. These are way too common.  People struggle in marriages in relationships that are tested; maybe even broken.

We face change in our community, in our country, in our church. We who tend to be older don’t recognize the world in which we grew up. It is scary, disconcerting. We see people desperately trying to recreate a world that is fading away. Trying to cling to so-called power that they had no right to anyway. People trying to cling to a practice of faith that does not speak to others. This fear, this chaos manifests itself in so much anger out there.

Where is God?

God remains. God lives in this world, transforming us, transforming the world. The hardest part for us, letting go and trusting that God loves.

Come back to the night of Jesus’ arrest. He struggled with what was about to happen. He was scared. He prayed to the Father for guidance; and the guidance he received, which Jesus always knew, was to trust in God and in the Father’s love.  He did. He went forward into the Chaos, the death, the violence, and rose above it.  

Jesus also revealed to us where God is present, inviting a change. It was whenever and wherever he healed, he forgave, he welcomed, when there was compassion, generosity, kindness and mercy.  

Those who truly believe and accept Jesus, we must go to people, people who struggle, and we must live as Christ. We must go to those who mourn, and simply say I am so sorry for your loss. Nothing else needs to be said. We be present at this time of darkness.  We must go to those who struggle with depression, listen, walk, hold their hand. We can be surprised just how much that presence can change a person’s day.  We must go to those who want to give up because of poverty, hunger, abuse and injustice; and as God’s children be a living sign of hope and justice for all. And we must work to challenge a system that permits this.  We go to those who are hurt, and we ask for forgiveness. We give to those who hurt us that same forgiveness.

And the old world, the old ways begin to fade away. A new life begins to form within us. We will find joy, peace; less anger, less hate; more unity.

And for ourselves, as we struggle; when we struggle. We come here; to Eucharist, to community. Here truly can be our strength. We do not come because we are perfect; we come because we are weak and hurting; we come because others hurt and need healing.  Eucharist signifies the presence of God, even in the most dark of situations.  Even when it can seem the world has died; God brings life.

Ideally, coming here will inspire us to change and be changed.  To come to a deeper understanding of God, the presence of God in our lives; to come to a deeper understanding of life and that there is always, ALWAYS, cause for hope, for joy.