“Wait for the Lord”

We seem to be hearing more nowadays about hastening death.

In bad times, we sometimes seem to hear more about people committing the grievous, God-insulting sin of suicide (may God have mercy on their souls).

In debates about health care, there seem to be increasing whispers about the benefits of having people die earlier.

Today’s readings remind us the God alone is the Master of Life and Death: not human beings.

In the Gospel (Luke 4:31-37), people recognize the authority of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ over even the most mysterious and frightening evils.

In the first reading (1 Thessalonians 5:1-6, 9-11), Saint Paul reminds us of God’s power over life and death, even in the ultimate disaster:

When people are saying, “Peace and security,”
then sudden disaster comes upon them,
like labor pains upon a pregnant woman,
and they will not escape.

But you, brothers and sisters, are not in darkness,
for that day to overtake you like a thief.

For all of you are children of the light
and children of the day.

We are not of the night or of darkness.
Therefore, let us not sleep as the rest do,
but let us stay alert and sober.

For God did not destine us for wrath,
but to gain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ,
who died for us,
so that whether we are awake or asleep
we may live together with him.

Therefore, encourage one another
and build one another up,
as indeed you do.

And the Responsorial (Psalm 27:1, 4, 13-14) reminds us of how we should fear nothing in this life (not pain, not poverty, not embarrassment, nothing) but rather we should continue in our lives on this earth to wait upon and trust in the omnipotent Will, the omniscient Wisdom, and the infinite Love of God.

The LORD is my light and my salvation;
whom should I fear?

The LORD is my life’s refuge;
of whom should I be afraid?

Wait for the LORD with courage;
be stouthearted, and wait for the LORD.