We Await

June 3, 2008

Memorial of Saint Charles Lwanga and his companions, martyrs

We await new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells. 2 Peter 3:13

"Repay to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and to God what belongs to God.” Mark 12:17

Piety

Martyrs of Uganda, pray for the faith where it is danger and for Christians who must suffer because of their faith. Give them the same courage, zeal, and joy you showed. And help those of us who live in places where Christianity is accepted to remain aware of the persecution in other parts of the world. Amen. (from http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=35)

Study

http://www.usccb.org/nab/readings/060308.shtml

You would think that we are a very patient people considering the amount of waiting we do in the Bible. We are a people of hope…always waiting for something to come along and improve our situation. Yet when it does come along, we reject change and elect to stay in the comfort zone of our way of life.

After Adam and Eve were expelled from the Garden, we awaited the coming of the savior who would let us back into Eden. After the Resurrection, Christians awaited the return of the savior. The nature of our entire faith is one of waiting for the Lord to establish his kingdom on earth. Until then, we pledge to l work hard to establish human institutions based upon those same principles. Daily we pray, “Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done. On earth as it is in heaven.”

We recognize the distinctions between heaven and earth that exist now. In the age to come, those distinctions of time, place and temperament will vanish as we become one. The divine promises of unity and justice will be fulfilled after the Lord returns. When that event takes place, the universe will be transformed by the reign of God's righteousness or justice. This is a theme woven throughout the Hebrew Bible and the New Testament. The universe eventually will be transformed by the reign of God's righteousness or justice. In the Hebrew Bible, Isaiah presents the prophesy:

Lo, I am about to create new heavens and a new earth; The things of the past shall not be remembered or come to mind. Instead, there shall always be rejoicing and happiness in what I create; For I create Jerusalem to be a joy and its people to be a delight. Isaiah 65:17-18;

As the new heavens and the new earth which I will make Shall endure before me, says the LORD, so shall your race and your name endure. Isaiah 66:22.

By the time of the New Testament, Jesus and the disciples pick up the established context:

I consider that the sufferings of this present time are as nothing compared with the glory to be revealed for us. For creation awaits with eager expectation the revelation of the children of God; for creation was made subject to futility, not of its own accord but because of the one who subjected it, in hope that creation itself would be set free from slavery to corruption and share in the glorious freedom of the children of God. We know that all creation is groaning in labor pains even until now; and not only that, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, we also groan within ourselves as we wait for adoption, the redemption of our bodies. For in hope we were saved. Now hope that sees for itself is not hope. For who hopes for what one sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait with endurance. Romans 8:18-25

Finally, in Revelation, we see that transformation in John’s vision.

Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth. The former heaven and the former earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. I also saw the holy city, a new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Behold, God's dwelling is with the human race. He will dwell with them and they will be his people and God himself will always be with them (as their God). He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there shall be no more death or mourning, wailing or pain, (for) the old order has passed away." Rev 21:1.

Until it happens, we wait. We hope. We work.

Jesus begins to introduce the New Heaven and the New Earth. He foretells that the old ways of humanity will pass by as the new way of righteousness takes over. Yet people are still clinging to the old ways. They either chose not to believe in the new reality or refuse to let the existing power structures pass away. So instead, as a precursor to the outright rejection of the Lord, they first try to trick Jesus into taking either a position contrary to that held by the majority of the people or one that will bring him into conflict with the Roman authorities – and result in getting him into some trouble. Jesus sidesteps their issues and leaves them amazed at the wisdom of His answers.

The New American Bible notes point out that Jesus raises the debate to a new level. Those who have hypocritically asked about tax in respect to its relation to the law of God should be concerned rather with repaying God with the good deeds that are his due.

Let us pursue those deeds while we continue awaiting His return.

Action

Support the mission or missionary of your choice. Consider those working in China and Burma helping the victims of the earthquake and cyclone or missionaries working in Africa like the saints we remember today.