A Day of Reckoning

The 25th Sunday after Pentecost (Proper 28C), Nov. 18, 2007

BCP: Mal. 3:13-4:2a, 5-6; Psalm 98 or 98:5-10; 2 Thess. 3:6-13; Luke 21:5-19

RCL: Isaiah 65:17-25 or Mal. 4:1-2a; Canticle 9 or Psalm 98; 2 Thess. 3:6-13; Luke 21:5-19

Over the past century astronomers have learned much about the universe, which began some 13.7 billion years ago. The first stars lighted up just 200 million years after the cosmos was born at the moment of the “big bang.” Our sun, which is classified as a yellow dwarf, was born about 5 billion years ago and is expected to “live” another 5 billion years.

Toward the end of its life, when the hydrogen at the core is almost exhausted, our sun will evolve into a red giant. The huge increase in volume will swallow up Mercury and Venus. It is not clear whether the same fate awaits Earth and Mars. However, we do know that the significant increase in heat felt on the earth’s surface will incinerate all living creatures.

The next stage will be that of a white dwarf, during which the sun will cool over billions of years. It will then become an exhausted white dwarf, also known as a black dwarf. The outer planets in our solar system will orbit this lifeless black dwarf forever.

Needless to say, the prophet Malachi knew nothing about these scientific discoveries 2,500 years ago. But the correlation is uncanny: “For behold, the day comes, burning like an oven” (4:1). “But for you who fear my name the sun of righteousness shall rise, with healing in its wings” [says the Lord of hosts] (4:2). There will be a day of reckoning, and a sun (not son) of righteousness shall rise.

In today’s gospel, Jesus warns of the coming destruction of the temple (Luke 21:6), and “great earthquakes and terrors and great signs from heaven” (Luke 21:11). Then, as now, people want to know: “Teacher, when will this be?” (21:7). Even though we know the scientific answer to that question, does it make any difference? Jesus warns his disciples not to follow those who preach “the time is at hand!” (21:8), a teaching ignored in some Christian traditions.

Both Malachi and Jesus identify the key issue for the faithful: “. . . a book of remembrance was written; . . . they shall be mine” (Mal. 3:16-17). “But not a hair of your head will perish; by your endurance you will gain your lives” (Luke 21:18-19). Whether one speaks of the second coming of Christ or the cosmological end of the planet earth (might they be the same event?), the point is that God will be present as mass is converted to energy.

“Sing to the Lord a new song,” proclaims the psalmist (98:1).We can only see through a glass darkly; the melody is beyond our understanding. But the important thing will be to sing.

Look It Up

The book of remembrance (Mal. 3:16) is a recurring theme in the Bible; see Exodus 32:32-34; Psalm 69:28; Isaiah 3:3, 65:6 Rev. 20:12, 21:27.

Think About It

Note the poetic way in which Charles Wesley incorporates “the sun of righteousness shall rise, with healing in its wings” (Mal. 4:2) into the third verse of the Christmas hymn 87 (Hark! the herald angels sing).

Next Sunday

BCP: Jer. 23:1-6; Psalm 46; Col. 1:11-20; Luke 23:35-43 or 19:29-38

RCL: Jer. 23:1-6; Canticle 4 or 16 or Psalm 46; Col. 1:11-20; Luke 23:33-43