Wednesday of the Twenty-third Week in Ordinary Time
(I Corinthians 7:25-31; Luke 6:20-26)
In his famous inaugural address John Kennedy spoke of a
new generation taking responsibility for the world. He outlined the challenges facing the
leaders, especially controlling the power of nuclear arms and alleviating the
burdens on the poor. He also mentioned what virtues were in order – justice and
courage. Both today’s first reading and
gospel likewise herald a new epoch. They
declare that the old order of sin is ending and a disposition of peace and
justice is in the wings.
St. Paul writes that the end is so near that there is no
need to marry and raise a family. Rather
he suggests that everyone dedicate themselves to preparing for the Lord’s
return. In the gospel Jesus declares
that the poor need not weep and the hungry need not worry for the Kingdom of
God has arrived and is theirs to enjoy.
We should ask ourselves what happened to these
promises. Has the Kingdom come or
not? Is it still wiser not to
marry? The answer may be more
complicated than we would like. Yes, the
Kingdom has come, at least in part.
Those, like St. Teresa of Kolkata, who feel urged to work for its full implementation
should not marry and have a family. But
the end is not likely going to be tomorrow or next year or even in this
century. Realization of this likelihood
should not disappoint us. Quite the
contrary, we should be redoubling our efforts to make the Kingdom happen. In doing so, we will find ourselves in its
midst as if we were working in a cloud of cool air beneath the hot sun.
