“It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority.” (Acts 1:7)
In these past few years we have seen a rise in violence and divisiveness. This may be because we now have almost instant access to every major news event and every bit of minutia that passes for news through the media on our cell phones. Here in America we are witnessing violence and division as people separate over politics, morality, and worldview. The media, the government, academia and every self-proclaimed media influencer with a smart phone have now set themselves up as moral authorities dictating how we should all live, think, and speak, often in accord with what they think or feel. They do not want to hear opposing views lest they feel offended.
The worldview so touted in our society, relativism, stands directly opposed to the worldview proclaimed by the Word of God. The Word of God is offensive for it reveals the sinfulness inherent in every man, woman, and child. The Word condemns all but also guides them to the gospel of grace and love in and through Jesus, a message equally offensive to world because it means no one can be righteous by their own works, but only by the power and grace of God.
In the face of such opposition, we Christians should not give way to fear or compromise as we see this evil attacking us and blaspheming our Lord Jesus. There is good news for us for, as we pray in our liturgy, the Lord’s return is imminent. We are reminded of this as we celebrate the Feast of the Ascension. As Jesus was ascending, the angels reminded the disciples that the Lord Jesus has promised to come back and establish his Kingdom on earth forever. We need to know this and share it as well lest we become distressed by our suffering and by the chaos around us.
The world needs the help of Jesus to destroy evil and set things right. We all need Jesus. If everyone in the world had faith in Him there would be peace, no wars, no murder, no fighting, no racism. One day this will happen. Jesus will return and we will be with Him for eternity. Then we will no pain, sickness, or sorrow. But for now we must live as His disciples in this wicked world. We have been commissioned to represent and spread His kingdom on earth. It is not given to us to know the specific answers, the specific reasons as to why life is the way it is. It is enough to know that we are in the Father’s hands in all situations. Therefore, we place our trust in Him who loved us enough to send His Son to die for our sins.