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Today’s first reading from
the Book of Daniel foretells a time unsurpassed in distress. In the
gospel Jesus predicts disturbances of cosmic proportions. Both describe
the terrible Day of the Lord, the awaking of the dead to judgment. Some
will face everlasting horror and disgrace, while those who led many to
justice will shine brightly like the stars of heaven.
As we approach the end of another church year, the readings are meant to
shake us out of our usual composure. The readings remind us that
our judgment will be based on justice. It won’t matter what religious
denomination you followed. It won’t help that you went to a Catholic
high school or college. The only thing that matters is what we did for
the least of our brothers and sisters. The poor are here to assist us
toward heaven.
St. Augustine puts it like this:
All that the wicked do is recorded, and they do not know. When “our God
comes, he does not keep silence.” …he will turn toward those at his left
hand: … “I placed my poor little ones on earth for you. I as their head
was seated in heaven at the right hand of my Father – but on earth my
members were suffering, my members on earth were in need. If you gave
anything to my members, what you gave would reach their Head. Would that
you had known that my little ones were in need when I placed them on
earth for you and appointed them your stewards to bring your good works
into my treasury.
But you have placed nothing
in their hands; therefore you have found nothing in my presence.”
St. Augustine, Sermo |
