Franciscan Fractal: “Birth Pang”
Contemplating Today’s Culture through the Eyes of St. Francis
When you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed; this must take place, but the end is still to come. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; there will be earthquakes in various places; there will be famines. This is but the beginning of the birth pangs (labor pains). Mark 13:7-8
When Jesus announced in the gospel of Mark that there will be “wars and rumors of wars” with nation rising against nation “and kingdom against kingdom,” and “earthquakes” and “famines,” I cannot help but associate those horrors to the horrors that we are facing in today’s world. All of the events Jesus predicted are still occurring 2,000 years later. Moreover, Jesus said, ”the end is still to come.”
In my human mind, I keep waiting for God to end all wars, especially the Israel-Hamas and Ukraine-Russia wars, to stop earthquakes, and provide enough food to end all famine. Part of me wants God to actually “hop over the fence,” and immediately end senseless violence and destruction. When I see God not being more proactive in curtailing violence, I wonder what God is doing? Why does it take over 2,000 years to effect change, and then have little to show for it? Is God sleeping? Is God punishing us? Does God answer prayer at all? I even wonder at times if there is such a thing as hope.
When I step back and pray; however, I am able “to see once again,” that is, gain “respect” for the present and entertain a “new perspective.” I hear the words of Jesus say that this is just the beginning of the “birth pangs (labor pains).” We all are part of the “birth pangs,” not of birthing a child, but of birthing a new kingdom where everything is different. It is simply the beginning of discarding an old way of looking at the world – a painful, prolonged process because it is so different from what we expect life to be.
A new kingdom is not about a ruler leading their troops, entering a war to end all wars, stopping the earth from moving and shaking, or preventing starvation with a bounteous harvest for all. The followers of Christ who move forward with conviction and without compromise are the essential people in recreating a sane and just world of which Jesus speaks.
Many of us have held onto an illusionary God, and need to let go of that illusion. Jesus the Christ showed us what is real in this world, and how to handle the truth. Democratic and Republican presidential mottos like “Build Back Better” or “Make America Great Again” will never create a better world. Such mottos depend solely on human endeavors, and leave God out of the picture.
Grappling with reality requires seeing the good, the bad, and the ugly, and not expecting a savior to hop over the fence and save us from our discomfort. We have been doing that for over 2,000 years. What is required is that we face our own complicity in allowing the world to go on as it does. We fail to step up to do justice and care for others, because it might just “cost” us too much. It is easier to believe that if we wait until we die, then God will magically take care of everything that we avoided in this life. The problem is that it simply doesn’t work that way according to Jesus.
Dying daily to our old way of seeing the world is the only path in creating a kingdom of God where there is plenty to meet the needs of all. Such a path overflows with love for those with whom we disagree and embraces a common sense of purpose in fostering connection to God in all things. We risk our own being, beliefs, and even life when we actually follow Christ. “If any wish to come after me, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.” (Matthew 16:24) Anything else is an illusion which eventually destroys not only us, but also others and the remainder of creation. Our hope and assured promise are that Christ never leaves us alone in creating the kingdom of God.
Next week we celebrate Christ the King Sunday. This festival was established after the horrific atrocities in World War I, and recognizes that the only way the Kingdom of Christ is going to give birth is by Peace in Christ. This peace includes being at peace, not only with others (including your enemies), but also being at peace with yourself and coming to grips with your past actions in the presence of God.
Use the coming days to dedicate yourself to action in creating the Kingdom of God here on earth. Take small steps and be humble. Also, be encouraged because it is God who never stops walking with you.
Prayers and Blessings,
Fr. John
