[stephenkhoo]

Friday, 25 November, 2011, 34th Ordinary Week, Cycle 1
THE NEARNESS OF THE KINGDOM IN THE FACE OF TRIALS AND DIFFICULTIES

SCRIPTURE READINGS: DN 7:2-14; LK 21:29-33

We are living in a world of chaos. Like the Israelites in the first reading from the Book of Daniel, we face much opposition in life. This is symbolized by the stirring of the sea from the four winds of heaven and the four beasts that emerged from the sea. The theocratic kingdom of Israel was under the onslaught of four empires, one after another, namely, the Babylonians, the Medes, the Persians and the Greeks. However, after the death of Alexander the Great, his great empire was divided into four kingdoms, given to his sons. Among the four sons, the Jews were facing persecution from King Antiochus IV Epiphanes for their faith. He was that little horn that sprouted among the others and eventually displaced the other three horns. It was under such oppression that Daniel wrote in symbols to encourage his fellow countrymen not to give up hope. The early Christians were also facing similar straits and persecutions. The gospel was also written to encourage the early Christians to remain firm in their faith. Indeed, the Alleluia verse, which is taken from yesterday’s gospel, exhorts us, “Stand erect, hold your heads high.” The question is how can we be strong and firm in our faith when we are confronted with difficulties from all sides?

We must first and foremost cling to our hope in God and His kingdom. Hope is a very important attitude that we must have if we are to grow in life. Without hope, there will be no zeal to live and we will eventually commit suicide. It is hope that enables us to struggle on even when the going is tough. Hope empowers us to carry on knowing that the end is in sight. Indeed, for us, like the Israelites and the early Christians, we must continue to affirm our faith and trust in the power of God that His kingdom will prevail in the end. But what is the basis of our hope? Certainly, our hope is not based on some utopia dream and some illusions. What then is the ground of our hope?

Firstly, our hope is founded on what is eternal. In the first reading, we are told that God is going to establish an eternal kingdom, a kingdom that shall never pass away and never be destroyed. Indeed, only the kingdom of God is eternal. Nothing else remains. Everything is passing and changing but God’s kingdom will last forever. The Book of Daniel gave hope to the Jews, for the prophet declared that God would vindicate them. The evil and arrogant king had no respect even for the Ancient One in the heavens worshipped by all, nor for the Son of Man coming on the Clouds of heaven, who would eventually establish the sovereignty of God. “He came to the one of great age and was led into his presence. On him was conferred sovereignty which shall never pass away, nor will his empire ever be destroyed.” This prophecy of the Son of Man in the hindsight of Christian Faith is of course none other than Jesus Christ, the Son of the Eternal Father who, by His death and resurrection, won victory for all of humanity.

In speaking of the victory of God over sinful humanity, we are referring to the values of the kingdom. The eternity of God’s kingdom is nothing else but His truth and love. Truth and love are the only two things that can withstand the test of time. Truth and love are both eternal realities. God is love and is truth. This is what Jesus meant when He says that “heaven and earth will pass away,” but His words will never pass away. God is always faithful to His promises. Consequently, even when we feel that evil is powerful, yet we must realize that ultimately only truth will prevail. It is a question of time. Those who live by the sword will die by the sword. Those who are dishonest and cheat others will eventually destroy themselves. Indeed, there is no need to take revenge even when it appears that we are on the losing end. The truth is that we will be vindicated in the end. We need not worry therefore when evil people triumph. They will bring about their own downfall. The psalmist says, “They spread a net for my feet, I was bowed down in distress. They dug a pit in my path but they have fallen into it themselves.” (Ps 57:6) What we need to do is to remain firm in our beliefs and convictions.

Secondly, we already have a foretaste of the kingdom that is to come. We are not living without any installment of the kingdom that is given to us. We must remember that there is a bottom to our sufferings. Just consider the economic situation in our own country. The economic cycle of recession and boom is part and parcel of the process of growth and decay. What goes up must come down and what goes down will eventually come up. Hence, when things are really bad, it means that things will get better soon. Thus for those of us who are going through tough times, knowing that the obstacles and sufferings we are encountering are but part of the cycle of life, will spur us on to work harder and more creatively in order to get out of the situation we are in.

Thirdly, Jesus tells us that our hope is already fulfilled if only we are a little more observant. The signs of the kingdom are as plain as the signs of nature. These signs are unmistakable and can be seen by all. In fact they are so obvious that if we cannot read the signs, it is not because God is not revealing His presence but that we are simply ignoring them. If from the bud of a tree we can tell that summer is near, why can’t we also see the new ways God is inviting us to share in His kingdom? If we open our eyes wide enough, we can see that the kingdom of God is already within our reach. As Jesus says, “the kingdom of God is near.” How near? As near as we want to see it! Every time when we experience love and concern from someone, we know that the kingdom is establishing itself. How often in our lives have we come across unexpected help and consolations from others? In such moments, we experience the nearness of God’s kingdom. Have we overlooked the coming of God through the blessings we have received from the Lord, our health, our job and our loved ones? We can also experience the nearness of God’s kingdom especially at prayer and whenever we celebrate the Eucharist. For it is in prayer and in worship with our fellow Christians that the love and strength of God is most felt and experienced.

The real problem with us is that we are not observant enough. We are too often blinded by our own fears and worries that we become myopic in our vision. We do not see far enough but only our immediate needs. We are too preoccupied with our own interests and blinded by our ego to see the judgment of God being passed on us. We continue to live in sin because of our selfishness. We do not have the foresight to recognize that quite often it is in failures and in crises that we really grow. Indeed, our political leaders have consistently reminded us that we should use the time of recession to trim our spending and improve productivity so that when the economy picks up, we will be ready to operate effectively. It is true also in every human situation in life. God comes to us, not only in good times but also in bad times. The signs of the kingdom can come in a positive or negative way. Regardless, they are invitations from God to get in touch with the real things and not be deceived by the passing things of life.

What are the essentials that we should be concerned with, as opposed to the superficial pursuits of life? We should give attention to our relationship with God and our loved ones. At the end of the day, it is love that matters. This love must be based on truth. We must love them the way God loves us. We must purify our lack of unconditional love and mercy where so often we love others more for our sakes than purely for theirs. There is a need for each one of us to purify ourselves so that we can become more like God, since we are His children. Purification can come from our external enemies or from within oneself. If from without, we must remain firm like the Jews and the early Christians. If from within, we must search our hearts by allowing the Word of God to challenge us and help us to open our minds and hearts to His message for us. “For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.”(Heb 4:12f)

Yes, let us live in hope and in trust that God’s coming is getting nearer and nearer to us each day. The world is becoming better each day, not worse. If it seems to be becoming worse, it is because it is becoming better. With eyes of faith, we must see that even in evil, God is bringing good out of it, as St Paul says, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” (Rom 8:28) With faith, we know, as the first reading tells us, that God’s kingdom will ultimately prevail in the end and His kingdom of love and justice will be established in the world and in every human heart forever. With Daniel, we say, “Give glory and eternal praise to him!”