22nd Week in Ord. Time, Monday – 04th September 2023 – 1 Thess 4,13-18; Lk 4,16-30
Enigma of Finality
In the first reading, the Thessalonians are upset because some of their relatives and friends have died before the return of the Lord Jesus. Paul had told them that they should prepare for the second coming of the Lord. Because of which the Christian faithful were convinced that Jesus would return definitely in their lifetime. However, they began to question Paul of what he had said, when some of their dear ones died before the expected Parousia. Replying to their questions, Paul speaks words of consolation. He affirms the fundamental doctrine of the resurrection so as to strengthen their faith and hope. Paul wants the Thessalonians to be quite certain about the fate of those who have “fallen asleep”. This euphemism for death was common in both the Old and New Testaments and in Greek literature. It was natural, then, to refer to “resurrection” to new life or from death as an “awakening”. For the Christian, sleep is a particularly apt metaphor for death, because of its finality. Obviously, Paul had to rethink his concept of imminent return of the Lord Jesus. He urges all believers to mourn, but not to mourn like those who do not believe in eternal life, for life is not completely ended in death. The first century pagans’ viewed death with horror, as the end of everything, but for Christian, death is merely a transition from life on earth to eternal life (1 Cor 15,55-57; Phil 1,21-23). The critical issue is not when or how the Lord’s final coming will be, but when and how of our leaving this earth. Will I be ready? Or Am I ready at any time?
