32nd Sunday of Ordinary Time [B]

 


32ND SUNDAY OF ORDINARY TIME [B]


Another Halloween has come and gone. Once again, the Great Pumpkin has failed to appear. If the Great Pumpkin ever does appear, what will he find? He will find a faithful disciple named Linus, keeping vigil in the pumpkin patch. The others will be out trick-or-treating, consumed with the pursuit of candy, dressing up in costumes, pretending to be somebody they are not. They can’t be bothered with waiting or keeping vigil. Linus, meanwhile, sends a clear message: I certainly can be bothered! Here I am, awaiting the Great Pumpkin! I’m displaying a welcome sign that I have made myself! I’m willing to endure ridicule! I’m willing to endure the cold nighttime temperatures! I’m willing to abstain from candy! 


This is what the Great Pumpkin will find. If there is nobody else awaiting his arrival, he at least will be able to count on Linus. Now we need to consider the question of Jesus. He has come once, as a little child in Bethlehem. According to scripture, he will come again at some point, as Judge of the living and the dead (2nd Tim. 4:1). Are we among those who will be awaiting his arrival? It’s very likely we will answer by saying “yes.”  If so, can he tell that you are awaiting his arrival? For his part, Linus makes it crystal clear. There can be no doubt that he is committed to the prospect of waiting for the Great Pumpkin. Are we leaving room for doubt? Does it strike you as a tedious proposition, waiting for the Lord to make his arrival? Does it require too much in the way of discipline, patience, and faith? Maybe Linus’s companions have the right idea. Maybe frivolity represents a more worthwhile option! 


Before we get carried away, we should probably take a close look at the readings for this weekend. First of all, we need to appreciate the two widows and how they model the notion of perseverance. The widow from Mark chapter 12 makes her contribution, trusting that the Lord will not leave her at a disadvantage. As for the widow from 1st Kings 17, she falters initially. But by the end of the passage she has regained her sense of faith. The prophet Elijah provides her with a critical measure of encouragement. In terms of our second reading, we will be drawn to what it has to say about the subject of salvation. And yet, don’t overlook that additional detail: the Lord is prepared to bring salvation…to those who await his coming (Heb. 9:28). Whatever good the Great Pumpkin stands to bring, we know it will require the experience of waiting. The same can be evidently said of the Lord. 


Waiting, however, can be difficult. It involves perseverance. It involves discipline. It involves patience. We can’t all be like the widow from Mark chapter 12. And that’s okay. There is no shame if you find yourself identifying more with the widow from 1st Kings 17. As was noted earlier, she falters. But what else did we note? Her circle was open. It was opened up enough that the prophet Elijah could enter in and offer her the gift of encouragement. Therefore, you will do well to keep your circle open. If your levels should become depleted, somebody will step onto the scene and be Elijah for you. And perhaps at a later date, you will get to be Elijah for them, or for someone else. The waiting doesn’t seem so tedious when we open ourselves up—when we allow ourselves to be tapped into the dynamic essence of the wider church.  

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