In a letter to the community he founded at the bustling Greek seaport of Thessalonica, Paul writes: You know that the Day of the Lord will certainly come like a thief in the night. People will say “peace and security,” but suddenly, disaster will come. And the people will not escape.
The members of that community had converted to the Way of Jesus from pagan religions. They put aside all the other messages that were calling out to them in the world, choosing to follow the Jesus. Paul had to leave that community abruptly, but he remained concerned for their welfare. His letter encouraged them and advised in the midst of their trials and persecutions. Paul told them that the Second Coming of the Lord would come at an unexpected and unannounced time, so they needed to be ready.
Even though Paul wrote those words in the middle of the first century, they still speak to us in our present day. 31 years ago this Monday on November 16, 1989, 8 Catholics were killed for their faith in the small Central American country of El Salvador. Since the early days of the Church, martyrs have had a special place in the community of saints. As we honor and remember these martyrs from El Salvador, we might wonder: How do their lives and their stories affect us in our lives here in Mississippi? These killings took place at the height of El Salvador's civil war. The military forces in that country were ordered to kill Jesuit Father Ignacio Ellacuría, the rector of the University of Central America, and to leave no witnesses. They killed him along with the 5 other priests, their housekeeper, and her daughter who were all present at the residence on that day.
Why would military forces want to kill a Catholic priest and leave no witnesses? It was out of fear of the message that he proclaimed. That message reached out in love and faith to a country torn apart by civil war. That message cut to the heart of the poverty and the oppression that afflicted the majority of the population there. Why is there so much injustice? Why is the oppression in our country overlooked? These Jesuit priests asked those questions, making those in power very nervous. As a result, action was taken to destroy these priests and the Gospel message they brought to the world. That is why it is important for us to remember how they died for the faith.
It is without a doubt an inspiring story, but what is the connection to us? We think of all the justice issues we are grappling with as a society. Issues that have been confronting us in the pandemic. Issues that we have thought about in our national election the first Tuesday in November. Do we respond to what we see in the reality of our lives and in the lives of our neighbors out of fear and anger? Or do we respond as children of the light, as Paul calls the Thessalonians? These issues that face our country and our world are very complicated, but burying our heads in the sand and not taking action is not what our faith calls us to do.
The Jesuits have said that the lives and the loss of these martyrs in El Salvador have influenced the Jesuit community in the United States and throughout the world, calling them to think about what it means to be disciples of Christ, what it means to be a Catholic community. It harkens us to think about what it means to address issues of social justice in our Church. As I think of how Paul challenged the Thessalonians to be ready for the second coming of Jesus, I think of how death came to the Jesuit martyrs violently and suddenly like a thief in the night. Yet, by their work and their lives and their witness, they were prepared. What about us?
Last week, the story of the ten maidens waiting for the arrival of the bridegroom, was about constant readiness for the final coming of Christ, as we heard of five wise maidens who were prepared and ready to keep their lamps lit, while five foolish maidens made no such plans or provisions to be ready. Our parable today tells us about the master who leaves his property with his servants to administer while he is away. Two manage his property prudently and wisely. One does not.
Last week, one of priests called me at the chancery office, asking me what it was like being back at work after so much time off. I told him that I had been going to the chancery office every day during the pandemic. In fact, it was the opposite for me, as what I could use are some days off. He was surprised to hear that.
Yes, our time in the pandemic has been difficult and challenging. The rates of the virus are still high. Those of you who have been coming to mass since our stay at home order was lifted know that we take our safety and our protocols very seriously here at St Jude. Boy, do I know that wearing a mass is uncomfortable. You probably see me struggling with my mask as mass sometimes. But it is a small inconvenience compared to keeping all of us safe. Let us heed Paul’s calling to be children of light. Let us continue to live out our faith in creative and bold ways. Let us continue to learn and grow in the faith, participating in our Advent faith formation activities that we have coming up. Let us continue to come back to mass. We have the drive-in mass, masses during the week, and a Sunday mass in church. We continue to live-stream. Just as Paul encouraged his communities, I as you pastor want to encourage you today, to continue to live out your faith with joy and conviction. To be ready. To be prepared.
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