Waiting for Christ (32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time)

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Click here for this Sunday’s Old Testament reflection (Seeking Wisdom)

In our reading, St. Paul exhorts the Thessalonians to keep their eyes fixed on the future hope of the Resurrection. This seems necessary in light of the persecutions they’ve faced from non-Christians (recall the violent reaction of the Jews in Acts 17), and it may be possible that a few of them have already been martyred for the faith.

Because of this, some of them may be mourning the loss of departed loved ones. Paul tells them that as Christians, we do not grieve as those who have no hope (v. 13). This doesn’t mean all grieving is bad, since even Jesus Himself wept when Lazarus died (John 11:35). Rather, true Christian grieving is the grief of a temporary separation from one’s loved ones, which is coupled with the eager expectation that we will all be reunited with one another in Heaven.

This leads to the core of Paul’s message in this reading, which is the Resurrection from the dead. Although we don’t know the day of Christ’s return, we know that He will come back in power and glory, and we proclaim this truth in all our Creeds and liturgies.

When He returns, we’ll be caught up together to meet Him in the air (v. 17). This does not mean, as many modern Fundamentalists erroneously teach, that there will be a “Rapture” before the Tribulation, but that when Jesus returns, we’ll greet Him as the returning King of the world. On that day, there will be great rejoicing as we reunite with those who fell asleep before us, and all believers will recieve the “weight of Glory” promised to those who persevere in running the race (2 Corinthians 4:16-18).

While we are in this world, we will continue to face tribulation, but this tribulation period will someday end. In the meantime, we must keep our eyes focused on the future hope that has been promised to us, and help others to do the same. “Therefore,” as Paul’s message ends, “encourage one another with these words” (v. 18).

J. Luis Dizon