Remembrance Sunday
“Then he said to them, ‘Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; there will be great earthquakes, and in various places famines and plagues; and there will be dreadful portents and great signs from heaven.”
Overview
This Sunday is Remembrance Sunday: a day when we remember, with sorrow and with penitence, all those who have died in conflict. It is also a time to reflect on the causes of conflict and commit ourselves to the difficult work of peace.
Our first reading, Malachi 4:1-2a, written for a people living with conflict and the threat of conflict, promises that those who make war “the arrogant and the evil-doers”, will be burnt in God’s wrath but our gospel reading gives us a different view of God’s justice: In Luke 21:5-19, Jesus acknowledges the impact of war and also the cost for those who stand for peace and the need for endurance.
FIRST READING
Malachi 4:1-2a
See, the day is coming, burning like an oven, when all the arrogant and all evil-doers will be stubble; the day that comes shall burn them up, says the Lord of hosts, so that it will leave them neither root nor branch.
But for you who revere my name the sun of righteousness shall rise, with healing in its wings.
You shall go out leaping like calves from the stall.
GOSPEL
Luke 21:5-19
When some were speaking about the temple, how it was adorned with beautiful stones and gifts dedicated to God, he said, ‘As for these things that you see, the days will come when not one stone will be left upon another; all will be thrown down.’
They asked him, ‘Teacher, when will this be, and what will be the sign that this is about to take place?’
And he said, ‘Beware that you are not led astray; for many will come in my name and say, “I am he!” and, “The time is near!” Do not go after them.
‘When you hear of wars and insurrections, do not be terrified; for these things must take place first, but the end will not follow immediately.’
Then he said to them, ‘Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; there will be great earthquakes, and in various places famines and plagues; and there will be dreadful portents and great signs from heaven.
‘But before all this occurs, they will arrest you and persecute you; they will hand you over to synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors because of my name.
This will give you an opportunity to testify. So make up your minds not to prepare your defence in advance; for I will give you words and a wisdom that none of your opponents will be able to withstand or contradict.
You will be betrayed even by parents and brothers, by relatives and friends; and they will put some of you to death.
You will be hated by all because of my name. But not a hair of your head will perish. By your endurance you will gain your souls.
