Reflection 33rd Sunday - "Be Brave"

Be Brave (Daniel 12:1-3; Psalm 16:5,8-11; Hebrews 10:11-14,18;  Mark 13:24-32)

In the world today, how do I “be brave?”

The scripture readings are scary. They are about times of distress and darkness. But, the message is about life. 

Let me share some more readings.  

“Nearly 1/2 of the world’s population (more than 3 billion people) live on less than  $2.50 a day.  More than 1.3 billion live in extreme poverty, less than $1.25 a day;  and 80% of the world's people live on $10 a day or less. Almost 1 in 10 people in the world are without safe drinking water.

Every year, violence worldwide results in 1.6 million deaths and is the leading cause of death for ages 15 to 44. In our world, violence against women leaves 35% of women (more than 1 in 3) victims of physical and/or sexual violence; one in 10 girls under 18 has been raped.

There were 203 million deaths war and oppression in the 20^th century.  Over a  million people  have been killed in conflicts/war since 2001, not including terrorism or ISIS violence. Terrorist acts have become more and more frequent.  

Every day is scary!

When I was six, we lived in the country where cattle roamed free. They’d come near the house at night and you’d hear them. The groaning, stomping, and strange cow noises were scary. The darkness made it extra scary. I’d pull the covers over my head. Soon, I’d run to my parent’s room. My mom would say, “Don't be afraid, be brave, and say your prayers, Jesus is always with you."

Distress and darkness have always existed in evil, war, famine, illness, and disaster. Jesus warned, “Not a generation shall pass before these things come about.” In truth, not a generation has passed without these things. These things have happened and will happen.

Can any of us say that there has not been a time in our life we’ve never had a personal tribulation (distress); our sun (outlook) is darkened, or there were times when it seems like the stars are falling?

Daniel and Mark’s writings are not to scare us but to give hope in the reality that is life. They point to hope. They point to Christ, the source of hope and life. The Psalms rejoices “You will show me the path to life, fullness of joys in your presence.”

Life could be simple if God would just solve all these problems; but, that is not the way He created the world. That’s not why He gave us Life. God gave us a path of life that is the care of creation, which includes caring for each other.

Made in God’s likeness and image, we forget our part in creation. God gave us wisdom to investigate and find answers. God gave courage to defend what is right. God gave us a Voice to shout for justice. He gave us a physical nature for work. God gave us freedom; the freedom to answer yes or no; choose good or evil; and the freedom that lets us argue about God, religion, beliefs, and even politics. 

But, God wants us to argue for creation. God wants us to bring God’s hope and life to creation. Until the end, we are to bloom and bear fruit like the fig tree.

Creation changes in every moment. Christ may come in the next instant. Be vigilant to have the strength to stand before him. Live a life bringing hope to the rest of creation to lead the many to justice.

It’s scary seeing those who suffer, talking to those who don’t know Christ, and loving those who hate us. The scary reality is that this dark and frightened world that is groaning to be saved in Jesus. Daniel and Mark give images of this groaning. If we open ourselves, we can hear it.

We can’t just lay with the covers pulled over our heads. Get up and go out, even if it’s just our community. Use the gifts He gave us in our creation; wisdom, courage, voice, physicality, and freedom. Use them, live the Gospel and your faith every day.

The Son of Man, Jesus Christ is the divine conqueror of evil. He is the hope that all will be made new. Christians are to be peaceful warriors of hope bringing the reality of Christ to the world through our life.

I want to sing “My heart is glad, my soul rejoices, I stand in confidence.”

But life and circumstances in our life can be scary. Sometimes, a lot of times, I’m that little boy lying in my bed, scared.

In this scary world, I see the need to bring hope to others. Facing life, hope is necessary; it matters. Hope matters because I hope for eternal life. 

How long will we fight this battle, "no one knows, neither the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father."

How do I "be brave" in this scary world? 

I'll give you the simple advice my mom gave me. “Don't be afraid, be brave, and say your prayers; Jesus is always there with you.”

She would add, the cows are scared, too.

Amen