12th Sunday of Ordinary Time (A) 25 June 2023 Last word
Throughout history there have been many tyrants, conquerors, dictators. They reign for a time and then pass on to others.
Even if one should succeed in conquering other people and exploiting them, there is one big problem that presents itself. By the time you claw your way to the top there is not much time before things start to fall apart. Time is the enemy.
All things mortal must pass quickly.
Is it worth all that trouble for such a brief span. God remembered that they were but flesh, a passing breeze that does not return.(Ps 78,39).
Better to build a house on rock than sand (Mt 7,24-27). Better to give one’s allegiance to the One king who can never be displaced – Jesus Christ, King of kings. Lord of lords.
In the Gospel today Our Lord tells us that all that is done in secret will be made known on the day of reckoning.
Evil thrives on secrecy but all cover will be blown away on that day, if not before.
Again house on sand. Sinners can attain a certain happiness from their ways, but they would find a lot more happiness if they draw inspiration from Christ, the new Adam (second reading).
The searching light of Christ will bring all to attention.
If we come clean with God without delay we can be spared humiliation and loss later on.
Our Lord appeals to us to live in the light, the truth, for the good of all and personal happiness.
There will be sacrifices but His way is more than worth it.
Follow the perfect Man, the first of the redeemed human race, the second Adam. All your hopes, best intentions, best resolutions can be centred on Him.
Truth prevails, Good prevails, God prevails. God is stronger than anything He has made. He made man; He made the fallen angels (before they fell).
Of course He must have the last word. First and last there is God, and if we have any sense we will be on His side and not against Him.
In the first reading Jeremiah is promised vindication. He is reassured that God knows what he is suffering and he will come out on top if he holds on.
The same applies for us. We may be tempted to throw our faith away and just take our chances with life. No, hold firm and you will see better days. Eventually one eternal day.
We have to get used to some long-range vision. We have the end of our lives and the end of the world always in view.
Not ignoring shorter term matters, but seeing them in the long-term context.
How is this world going to end? It depends on us whether we accept Christ fully, or continue to resist Him.
The world may end but not God. He will still be there whatever happens, furthering His plans.
Our Lord wants us to recognise Him before not after the dramatic ending. We will be able to do this if we seek Him out now.
The world is chaotic but we do not have to be so. We can base our lives on the firm principles of a good life, dedicated to God and seeking always His will.
If we can establish the Church far and wide we will have a peaceful return of the King.
If not, the mighty in their own estimation will be laid low. Not just tyrants but ordinary people who have not repented. All who have denied or defied God will be laid low.
Let us not have any proud and mighty in our midst. Let everyone be humble before the great God. Make way for the King!
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