November 6, 2022 ~ 32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time

Relax! Don’t be afraid! How many times have we said those words to others— or perhaps have them said to us? Social scientists and philosophers sometimes speak of the “age of anxiety.” They say that in today’s world people are increasingly uneasy about their standing in life. Threats of violence and terror, increasing unease about financial and health security, family conflicts and divisions—these are some of the major factors contributing toward the collective anxiety we experience in our own day.

Enter St. Paul and his letter to the Thessalonians. To be sure, first century Asia Minor is a far cry from 21st century United States. However, if we look beyond the cultural, geopolitical and technological differences between then and today, we can notice some striking similarities. The Thessalonians are having some deep anxieties of their own. In a nutshell, it is this: they believe in the resurrection of Jesus. They have received the gifts of his Holy Spirit. But even still, they wonder about the Second Coming of Christ. What will Jesus’ return be like? When will it happen? Are we as followers doing enough to prepare for it? And what about our deceased relatives and friends who have died before the return of Christ? Are they going to be brought home to heaven when Jesus returns? If not, have they lost out on the promise of resurrection?

Paul deals with these heavy questions that have produced great anxiety among the Thessalonians. In doing so, St. Paul offers the assurance and hope they need to carry on with their lives in good faith.

No doubt that the early Christians aren’t the only ones. We need to live these mysteries of the end times not with fear and anxiety, but with trust and eager anticipation. The Day of the Lord is something to be welcomed into our world and not something to be dreaded. Is there trouble and turmoil ahead? Our faith would answer in the affirmative. But these stormy times are not the final word. The fullness of peace and life in the Kingdom of God are the last word.

Last week we celebrated the feasts of All Saints and All Souls. These feasts recognize those who have gone before us marked with the sign of faith. In the canonized saints of the church, we see how men and women can make the resurrected life of Jesus fully their own in this life. Because of it, we see how being full citizens of heaven can be reconciled with our earthly citizenship.

Speaking of earthly citizenship, we are well aware that we are in the midst of election season. With it comes our duty to vote. If there were such a thing as a secular sacrament, voting would be that sacrament. Please vote your conscience, and allow your conscience to be informed by the teachings of our Catholic faith.

These days more than ever, let’s listen to God’s message of salvation in our lives and allow our age of anxiety to become a little less anxious

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