33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time – Mal 3:19-20; 2 Thes 3:7-12; Luke 21:5-19
We wait with impatience. We wait with eagerness until God’s promise is fulfilled, and our King is triumphant. “Let the rivers clap their hands and the hills sing for joy” — because God is coming to judge the earth.
Are Christians a bit mad? It can look that way. We think about the end of all things with joy and the fulfilment of hope, not as a looming threat. And yes, we should take a good, honest look at ourselves. Can we do that? What does it depend on?
Here’s the heart of it: the One who judges us is the One who loves us. His judgement isn’t a cold verdict; it’s truth set free, wrongs made right, mercy offered to the repentant, and justice for the poor. That’s why creation sings. That’s why we dare to hope.
Believing in the power of the Judge should sober us. We’re not left to drift. Our choices matter. His Name will be opposed, and our resolve will be tested — no surprise there. But we’re not called to panic or hide; we’re called to hope.
So, we work in peace and eat our own bread. We pray, keep our duties, love our neighbour, and hold our hearts steady. We don’t give in to fear. We trust.
Lift your eyes. Let the rivers clap and the hills sing — and let your soul sing with them. The King is coming. Come, Lord Jesus.