Brief synopsis of the readings: We begin with the prophet Malachi who warns of an upcoming day where “all the proud and all evildoers will be stubble” and will be burned up. But those who fear the Lord will arise with “the sun of justice with its healing rays.” In Luke’s Gospel some people were bragging about the ornate trappings of the Temple. But Jesus told them that there will be a day where it will be leveled. When they asked him when this would happen he told them to look for a sign. Jesus told them that many will come in his name and announce that the time has come but they should not listen to them. He told them not to be terrified by earthquakes, famines or plagues. Additionally Jesus’ followers will be persecuted and handed over to evildoers. Jesus instructed them not to prepare a defense ahead of time but instead rely on Jesus’ wisdom that will be powerful enough to refute any charges. “You will be hated by all because of my name, but not a hair on your head will be destroyed. By your perseverance you will secure your lives.”

Do you ever wonder when doom scrolling began? When did large numbers of us decide that we are in the “end days” and the world will soon come to a close? It’s a complicated question and I’m far from an authority but I think it bears thinking about. When Jesus rose from the dead it was assumed among his disciples that his return would be soon, certainly within their lifetimes and they looked forward to it. Throughout our history there have been various predictions (that have all been proven wrong) but somewhere along the line many have looked on this with fear. A friend of mine owns a T shirt that says: “Jesus is coming. Look busy.” Because of what they’ve been told they read passages like these today and fear harsh judgement and even damnation.

I write this because we’re coming to the end of the liturgical year and the readings embody what we call “apocalyptic literature.” This literature does talk about the “end times” but it intends to give people hope in difficult times. In the battle between good and evil there are times when it appears that evil has the upper hand and we simply don’t have the strength or resources to overcome it. As we all know, it’s no help to rely on platitudes or vague statements that nothing really bad will happen.

And that’s fine but readings like today can use descriptions that can be seen as overly simplistic: “those who fear the Lord” versus “all the proud and all evildoers.” So in the final judgement, we don’t wonder which side we think we’re on, we worry about which side God will decide we’re on. It’s as if our lives, in the end, are nothing more than pass/fail and our very souls hang in the balance. Unfortunately we’re also surrounded by hucksters who have learned to monetize this worry; they promise that our support of them will translate into a guaranteed seat on the salvation express.

OK, maybe that’s a little cynical but that’s who Jesus was talking about in today’s Gospel. There are those out there who, regardless of how charismatic or successful, are in it for themselves. Many of them have pushed the idea (that is not found in Scripture) that there will be rapture where they will be taken to Heaven, avoiding any trials or tribulations. And their pride over wealth and social standing are pretty transparent.

Unfortunately they have made the word “judgement” sound harsh, as if it were a cause for fear. I’ve recently begun listening to a podcast on faith called “Ye Gods” with Scott Carter. He interviews people, who aren’t necessarily religious, on their faith. At the end of the interview he asks each of them whether they believe that at the end of their lives there will be a judgement that will grade their lives. I have to confess that I recoil from this question because the word “judgement” sounds negative, that the best we can do is avoid something bad and this is really an exercise in fear. It’s as if God has become some cosmic “Elf on the Shelf.”

It can call us to walk in the wrong direction. If we fear harsh judgement and think the end is near we can make poor decisions our of it. How often these days do we hear from loved ones that we can’t afford to feed the poor or welcome the stranger? That if we do, bad things will happen. How often are we encouraged to vilify people in need because they want for free what we have earned? Frankly I don’t see any way we can defend these beliefs and to hold that there isn’t enough sells short God’s generosity.

So let’s recalibrate. Nearly everyone I know does his best and wants to experience “the sun of justice with its healing rays.” If we look with these eyes it all falls into place. It allows us to trust that no matter what happens, no matter what we see or experience, God has promised to be with us. When Jesus calls his disciples not to “prepare your defense beforehand” it’s not because we can’t be clever. It’s because God’s wisdom will outflank whatever attacks us and that belief will save us.

Finally we need to believe that the “salvation express” does not have a limited number of seats. God is not the director of a reality show that pits us against each other for a share of necessary resources or places in Heaven. Whatever is given to someone else is not taken away from us and we’re not called to oversee how blessings are distributed. If this is pass/fail, what prevents all of us from passing? As we’ll see next week, the thief on the cross in the 23rd chapter of Luke’s Gospel shows us that there is no deadline to ask for mercy, no “too late.”

And so, when you read apocalyptic literature, follow Jesus’ advice: Do not be afraid.