Eschatological Ethics XIV

Above: Icon of the Second Coming

Image in the Public Domain

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READING LUKE-ACTS, PART XXXII

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Luke 12:35-59

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The parable contains disturbing content–one disobedient slave cut into two pieces, and two other slaves beaten.  One of the beaten slaves, we read, did not know he was doing anything wrong when he erred.  The vivid and disturbing parable–surely not the topic of any children’s sermon–underscores the importance of living in a consistent moral and obedient way relative to God.  We all sin daily; we can also repent daily.  God understands that we are “but dust,” so we can take comfort in that detail.  Knowledge of one’s sinfulness ought to lead one to treat other sinners compassionately and empathetically.

Have utmost devotion to Jesus.  That is the theme of the parable.  Maintain this devotion until (a) death, or (b) the Second Coming.  And divine judgement and mercy remain in balance.  The most severe punishment falls on those who should have known better.  Lighter punishment falls on those who did not know what God expected of them.  On the other hand, Jesus and the Holy Spirit advocate for us.  We derive comfort from this factor, too.

Attempting to predict the timing of the Second Coming is a fool’s game.  I do not play this game.  I do not even say that the Second Coming is nearer now than it was circa 85 C.E., for I cannot know that.  Fixating on the Second Coming is alien to my theology.  Obeying the moral mandates of Christ’s teachings is superior to studying alleged prophecies in Daniel and Revelation.  (I have blogged through those books at this weblog, by the way.)  Instead of vainly linking recent and current events to books are are not (and never were intended to be) predictors of the future, why not do something constructive?  Why not, for example, volunteer at a soup kitchen, work for social justice, or purchase groceries for a food bank?  Whatever good you do, O reader, do it in the name of Jesus.

KENNETH RANDOLPH TAYLOR

JANUARY 8, 2022 COMMON ERA

THE FEAST OF SAINT THORFINN OF HAMAR, ROMAN CATHOLIC BISHOP

THE FEAST OF A. J. MUSTE, DUTCH-AMERICAN MINISTER, LABOR ACTIVIST, AND PACIFIST

THE FEAST OF ARCANGELO CORELLI, ITALIAN ROMAN CATHOLIC MUSICIAN AND COMPOSER

THE FEAST OF NICOLAUS COPERNICUS AND GALILEO GALILEI, SCIENTISTS

THE FEAST OF HARRIET BEDELL, EPISCOPAL DEACONESS AND MISSIONARY

THE FEAST OF SAINT PEPIN OF LANDEN, SAINT ITTA OF METZ, THEIR RELATIONS, AND SAINTS AMAND, AUSTREGISILUS, AND SULPICIUS II OF BOURGES, FAITHFUL CHRISTIANS ACROSS GENERATIONAL LINES

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