2 John 4-9 / Luke 17:26-37
Birds are generally nice to look at. Whether they are flying or perched on a branch, most birds look beautiful. Except one species - the vultures. Short of saying that they are ugly, they look gruffy, like a bunch of uncombed feathers, they look a little hunched. Maybe when they are flying, they might look better. But if looks are not good, then their diet is revolting. Vultures are scavenging birds of prey. But they don't hunt. Rather they eat anything that is dead or rotting.
In today's gospel, Jesus mentioned about these birds when He says: Where the body is, there too the vultures gather. He was talking about the end times when the disciples interrupted Him and then He gave them this graphic image. Putting it simply and directly, vultures gather where there is death and the dead are left in the open, and they feed on the dead. But the vulture, as much as it may not be a pretty sight, but it is, at the same time, a symbol of God's judgement on evil. In the end, evil will be devoured by the vultures. Yet, we also need to take this as a warning sign. If we don't repent of our sins, then we are dying spiritually and waiting to be consumed by the vultures of God's judgement. So let us repent and do penance, and fly towards God with wings powered by love and good deeds.Today, in the Gospel text, the end times as well as the
uncertainty of life is highlighted, not to frighten us, but to keep us
fore-armed and focused, ready to meet our Creator. The sacrificial nature of
the Gospel is seen in its Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ as he leads us by
example, to be ever ready to seek and do the Will of God. Constant vigilance
and preparedness is the hallmark of the ardent disciple. We cannot just be like
people who «ate and drank, they bought and sold, planted and built…» (Lk
17:28). We disciples must be ready and watchful, lest we be lulled into
spiritual lethargy by the progress of life from one generation to the next and
assume that Jesus won't return after all.
Secularism has taken strong roots in our society. The onslaught of innovation
and ready availability of personal goods and services makes us feel
self-sufficient and devoid of God’s presence in our lives. It is only when
tragedy strikes that we are awakened from our slumber to look at God amidst our
“vale of tears...”. And we must be thankful for these tragic moments, because
they surely must serve to strengthen our faith.
In the recent months, the attacks on Christian in several parts of the world
(including my very own country India), may have shaken our faith. But the Holy
Father Francis says: «Christians are ultimately hopeful, however, because at
the end, Jesus makes a promise that is a guarantee of victory: ‘Whoever gives
his life will be born again’ (Lk 17:33)». This is a truth that we can rely on…
The powerful witness of our brothers and sisters who lay down their lives for
the faith and the witness to Christ shall not be in vain.
And so we labour onwards in the journey of our lives in the sincere hope of
meeting our God «on the day the Son of Man is revealed» (Lk 17:30).
****
What is common to today’s first and second readings is a
spirit of alertness. The Lord may call us at any time, and the community may
become divided over particular issues. We must be seriously attentive to the
word of God and conscious of the importance of retaining the unity of the
community of faith.
****
Let us pray: Our saving God, we are your people on
the march who try to carry out the task of giving shape to your kingdom of love
and peace. When we are discouraged and
afraid or careless, keep us going forward in hope, make us vigilant in prayer, that
we may see the signs of your Son’s coming.
Let Jesus walk with us already now on the road he has shown us, that he
may lead us to you, our living God for ever and ever.
***
Saint Martin of Tours
Feast Day November 11
One wintry day, young Martin, soldier and catechumen, met a
shivering beggar in the street. He cut his cape in two, giving half to the man.
That night in a dream St. Martin saw Jesus wearing it and heard him say,
“Martin is still only a catechumen, but has covered me with this garment.”
Stunned, soon afterward Martin presented himself for baptism.
Martin’s father, a Roman tribune, had arranged for his son’s
conscription into the army at age 15. So Martin performed military service
until he decided that it contradicted his Christian commitment. Sulpicius
Severus, the saint’s first biographer, described the day that Martin became the
first Christian conscientious objector:
. . . The barbarians were invading the Gallic provinces.
Assembling an army at the city of the Vangiones, Emperor Julian prepared to
distribute a bonus to his troops. The men were called up in the customary
manner, one by one, until Martin’s turn came. He recognized that moment as a
suitable time to ask for his discharge, and he did not think it would be honest
for him to accept the bonus when he did not intend to fight. “I have fought for
you up to this point,” he said to Caesar. “Now let me fight for God. As for
your bonus, let someone who is going to join the battle receive it. I am a
soldier of Christ: combat is not permitted me.”
Julian exploded with rage and threatened Martin, calling him
a coward.
“If my act is set down to cowardice rather than to faith,”
he said, “I shall stand unarmed tomorrow before our lines. In the name of the
Lord Jesus and protected only by the sign of the cross, without shield or
helmet, I shall penetrate the enemy’s ranks and not be afraid.”
The next day, the enemy sent an embassy to sue for peace,
handing over themselves and all that was theirs. From this can anyone doubt
that the victory was due to the blessed man—a grace granted to prevent his
being sent unarmed into combat?
As there was now no war to fight, Martin got his discharge.
Martin was renowned as a miracle worker, performing many cures and even raising a dead man. Once, for example, he healed St. Paulinus of Nola’s diseased eye by touching it lightly with a fine paintbrush. Martin died on November 11, 397. Because of his reputation, he became one of the most admired saints of the Middle Ages.
