There is a lot going on in the world.  This is certainly true in our day and it was true at the time of Jesus and the early Church.  There are always new leaders who are arising and making claims to be able to solve the problems of the day.  Many of the leaders implicitly make the claim that “I am the one you have been waiting for.”  They are able to point out the shortcomings of the leaders before them and blame those leaders for the precarious nature of the present times.  They know the challenges and issues of the day and each claims in some way to be the one who will affect change and lead the nation or world into a new time of prosperity.   Jesus has some very simple advice of how to respond to the claims of new world messiahs:  “Do not follow them!”  There have always been difficulties that have affected the future of the world.  There are wars and conflicts, now of a more global nature, that threaten to bring down the peace and security of our world.  Jesus reassures us, “Do not be terrified.”  These things are bound to happen but they will not be the cause of the end of the world.  There will be natural disasters that afflict the world with floods, earthquakes, fires, tornadoes, hurricanes and typhoons, plagues and famines and yet these also do not spell the end of time.  We can also add to this list global economic crises, poverty, regional wars, violence, terrorist activities and other social ills.  When we are challenged by difficult times and trials, tribulations and persecutions, we should not let fear overwhelm us.  Times of crisis are often opportunities for growth.  Jesus tells his disciples, “It will lead to your giving testimony.”  Though these world events are of great concern to us we should not become overly obsessed with them and allow them to take our focus off of our primary vocation as Christians:  to give witness to our faith.  As disciples we are called to give witness to God’s nearness and presence, to the hope that we have in Christ Jesus, and to God’s compassion and mercy in the face of human suffering and persecution.

     Disciples are witnesses.  Our lives are meant to be a testimony of faith, hope and love.  Even in the midst of world upheaval and change we are called to quietly go about our work of bearing witness to the gospel by the way that we live our lives.  The reason for our hope is not in political systems or solutions but in the presence and work of God’s Spirit that is completing the work of salvation begun in Jesus Christ.  God is a loving Father who is faithful and will not abandon his people in times of trial and difficulty.  Our power lies in the Spirit who dwells within us and who gives us the gifts of wisdom, truth and love to combat the troubles of our time.  The work that we have to busy ourselves about each day is the work of God, faith in action.  Even though times may be difficult we must continue the work that has been entrusted to us.  It is important that we do not give up the work of faith and abandon our discipleship, our being witnesses to hope, especially in difficult times.

     Paul puts it very simply to us:  “If anyone is unwilling to work, neither should that one eat.”  If we are unwilling to do the work of faith then we should not come to the table of the Lord and expect to be fed.  There are many in our communities of faith who come to the Lord’s Supper in the Eucharist and yet they do nothing to witness to their faith throughout the week.  When there is something to do or accomplish in the Church they quietly disappear and allow others to bear the burden of God’s work.  It is commonly known that only about a third of regular churchgoers in the Catholic faith actually offer time, talent or treasure to the building up of the Church and the community of faith.  They come to eat at the Lord’s table and yet they give nothing in return in service to their brothers and sisters in the faith or to the next generation in faith.

     This week as we approach the end of the Liturgical Year we are challenged to assess what we have done to be good disciples of the Lord, good witnesses to the faith, good workers in the Vineyard of the Lord.  Even in difficult times we must continue the work of faith and move forward in faith preparing always for the coming of the Lord.  Are we doing our part?  Are we giving what we can?  Or, are we conducting ourselves in a disorderly way and neglecting the work of God in the world?  As disciples we must be witnesses, we must be models and examples for others so that they may see the work that we do and give glory to God.