Listen and heed the warning!

Malachi 4.1-2, 2 Thess 3.7-12; Luke 21.5-19

In this past week we have been only too aware of the numerous warnings and alerts that have gone out to those in NSW and Queensland facing the threat of dangerous bushfires.  It seems that both the alert system – the warning systems and communication has been significantly improved over recent years in response to the devastation and experience of Black Saturday and other events.

However, people being people – complacency in part is never far away as so often we simply do not take warnings seriously or we just ignore them and go our own way.  We think it will be alright and after all to heed the warning would impose such an inconvenience. 

Our scripture readings remind us of the need to listen and heed the warnings that are given.  In the reading from Malachi it is a warning to God’s people that there will be a day of judgment or accountability by the Lord – that they need to be prepared and in context make sure they are living in accordance with God’s teaching.  With vivid and metaphorical language the author gives a very clear picture of the fate of those who do evil and those who are righteous in the Lord.  I cannot help but think that this dramatic and extreme language is as much to grab the attention of God’s people as it is to reflect exactly what is said will happen.

As then – especially today amidst so much information overload and complex communication it becomes a real challenge for authorities to actually get people’s attention in the first place let alone getting them to act upon it.  Again, I could not help but think that may to some extent be the motivation for those protesting recently in our city regarding climate change.  While I don’t necessarily agree with the tactics – perhaps it is a result of frustration in our leadership failing to listen and take heed of the warnings that abound.

For people of faith – we should be well and truly attune to warnings.  After all the scriptures are full of them from the prophets in the Hebrew scriptures to Jesus himself as we hear in our gospel this morning.  Warnings point to a future time – a future possible scenario and in our gospel for example more than likely to that of the destruction of the temple in the year 70 AD [which could already have happened by the time this gospel had been written].  Also they reflect no doubt the challenges that Jesus’ followers would face following his death and resurrection.  Warnings about difficult times ahead, about conflict, struggle, hardship, suffering or even death are always hard to listen to because more than often they mean we may actually have to change and/or do something. They are often mistakenly thought of as threatening yet if we listen, look and reflect – warnings are given out of concern for the welfare of those to whom they are directed.

If we look at our gospel this morning for example, Jesus is warning his disciples and followers of what is to come, not just because he likes to predict the future or be the bearer of bad news – the warning is given so that his disciples can be prepared for what may happen to them.  Jesus’ warning and words here are a reality check to his followers and indeed to us [they go beyond just the contemporary context of his time].  Being a disciple is not some kind of insurance policy for a safe and smooth life in this world – rather be prepared for the challenge and struggle that your faith will bring in terms of confrontation with authorities, with your own community and even family that may result in suffering and even death.  It does not sound like good news but warnings ironically perhaps are good news because not only do they help us prepare – in this gospel context they also come with great reassurance.  Reassurance that Jesus will be with them and with us. 

So make up your minds not to prepare your defense in advance; for I will give you words and a wisdom that none of your opponents will be able to withstand or contradict.

And then at the end of our passage even greater or more profound words of assurance that I think transcend whatever we may encounter in this life on earth – to the larger reality and promise of God for all creation and humanity …

You will be hated by all because of my name.  But not a hair of your head will perish.  By your endurance you will gain your souls.

We are confronted today with numerous warnings be they on a global level – like climate change, but also political and social instability as we have witnessed recently in Iraq, Chile, Lebanon, Hong Kong and the list just goes on and on …

Then at a national, community or local level - in our own backyard so to speak where warnings are ringing out from commissions of inquiry into child sexual abuse, banks, aged care, mental health and disability services …
and of course at the very personal level – are we listening for the warning signs regarding our own physical, emotional and spiritual health –

What are the warning signs for our church – our parish? These we also need to be alert to.

It does not mean every warning is right or accurate but I think our scriptures shout out loud and clear – take note!  Listen, look, prepare – change and endure!  What our gospel also says to us as followers of Jesus as we do listen out for the warnings in our contemporary context – no matter how ominous or uncomfortable or challenging they may be and what we may have to face and endure – nonetheless we can rise to the challenge because in the end we are not alone – we endure not by ourselves but in and with Christ.

But not a hair of your head will perish.  By your endurance you will gain your souls.