33rd Sunday C 2007.

The prediction from 21/2  thousand years ago,
that wickedness will be eliminated and righteousness will triumph in the world
is reassuring although it has not come to pass to this date.

More reassuring and even more important for us is the insight that
in our own personal world, if we try hard enough,
we can achieve the reduction and elimination of wickedness and the triumph of righteousness.
A genuine desire for the ways of God supported by prayer,
learning and the practice of charity will lead to righteousness.
This righteousness will be like a sun and those caught in its ray
will experience healing.
So, although we usually persevere in our own Christian development for our own peace and well-being,
when we are succeeding we are inevitably benefiting our surroundings as well.
It also shows that true godliness is different from being saintish in a condescending and irritating way.

St Paul’s rule for a community that those. who do not work
should not take food either can be applied several ways.
Firstly the busy-bodies who do not chip in with the work
but expect to draw the benefit from the work of others.
Then there are those of us who will not do the necessary work to learn more about God
and develop a good and deep relationship with him, and yet expect to be fed with wisdom and understanding.

In the Gospel Jesus predicts wars and calamities;
and we know that the past 2000 years have seen plenty of them.
He also said that when we are called upon to give witness to him
the Holy Spirit would be there to speak for us.
If we are accustomed to speaking the truth the Spirit has an easy job
for God is Truth.