21ST SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME — YEAR C

1st Reading      Isaiah 66:18-21

Resp. Psalm     Ps. 117:1.2 (R. Mk. 16:15)

2nd Reading     Heb. 12:5-7.11-13

Gospel               Luke 13: 22-30

MADE PRIESTS, PROPHETS AND KINGS

This 21st Sunday in Ordinary Time, the first reading is from Isaiah 66:18-21. It is found in Third Isaiah (Isaiah 56-66), i.e. Trito-Isaiah. We are reading from the last sections of this Trito-Isaiah, and there is divine initiative to "gather all nations and tongues" (v. 18). Trito-Isaiah is believed to have been written by a disciple of the author of Deutero-Isaiah (Isaiah 40-55). The author of Trito-Isaiah sets his writing after the Babylonian exile, and hence, focuses on the post-exilic times.

The passage in view, I believe, is set within an Old Testament missionary framework. God takes the initiative to gather all nations and tongues as a result of the dispersion brought by the Babylonian exile (c.598 BC - c.538 BC). 

From the missal, the reading commences with the Lord's knowledge of the "thoughts and works" of some people: "I know their works and their thoughts" (Isaiah 66:18). The identification of the people, I suggest, will unlock the passage for us. The preceding verse gives us a clue. Despite the Lord's favours to Jerusalem and the promise of good things to her, there are still those who are rebellious. We are told about their rebellion in Isaiah 66:17.

These rebellious people are bent not only on practicing abominations, but, by virtue of their practice, are teaching others to do so. Shortly put, they are spreading error. We can also understand the rebellion of these people when we also consider other references in the book of Isaiah (66:3-4; 57:3-13; 65:2-7,11-12). These are people who stand against the glory of the Lord. They are evil and they need to be sent out so that their evil deeds do not become normalised resulting in another exile for Israel. The Lord shall consume them (v.17).

Before they are consumed, there is need for separation; there is need to gather (QABATS). The idea is about the assemblying of the people of God, every Jew and those who hold YHWH as their God. They shall be saved from the errors of rebels, from the enemies of God. The assembled people shall be a sort of 'QAHAL' (assemblying of people), the 'Church' of God. God does not desire the worse things for them. Wherever they have been scattered, God takes the initiative to gather them, to assemble them. 

It is interesting to note that as new people, PROPHETS will be identified, KINGS will be numbered, and PRIESTS will be chosen. These three groups are brought to the fore in the first reading and they become missionaries. 

Some of the survivors will be sent to the nations. In fact, the Septuagint (The Greek translation of the Hebrew Old Testament) uses the word EXAPOSTELŌ to denote send. Clearly, the word 'apostle' stands out. These will be sent on mission. An apostle is one who is sent to announce. They shall announce the glory and fame of the Lord (v.19) and, in doing so, call the people back to the covenant, back to union with God. This is the exact function of a prophet — to proclaim the fame and glory of God and lead the people back to the covenant. 

It is even more important to realize that the nations they have been sent to — Tarshish, Put, Lud, Tubal and Javan — are considered remote parts of the known world. These are, if you like, the ends of the world. The implication is that the boundary of these prophets has been well-defined to be the 'whole world'. The Responsorial Psalm, further helps us to remember the command to "Go into ALL THE WORLD and PREACH the Gospel" (Mk. 16:15).

The image of bringing the people, their kin from all nations "on horses, in chariots, carts, upon mules and dromedaries" (v. 20) serves to leave us thinking about kingship. It is apt to answer that Kings and people of very high social standing often ride on these animals and in these means of transport. The assembling is given a triumphant outlook.

There are also Priests and Levites (v.21) (KOHEN and LEVIYIY). Priests will offer sacrifices and will be concerned with the economy of the TEMPLE and the Sacred. They will teach the precepts of God.

Prophets will announce; Kings will lead; and Priests will teach and serve the sacred functions. It is now clear that the saved people from all nations and tongues have been gathered, have been brought to unite with God.

The 21st Sunday in Ordinary Time identifies us as chosen people, loved by God to escape the errors of the world. He leads us gently to himself and sends us out to save others. Based on this, we are made Prophets, Kings and Priests. These are signs of a new birth, of our salvation through Baptism. 

May God help us to listen to his call to assembly, and having been instructed, may we endeavour to save others from the errors of sin and death by our works and words.

Amen.

Pax et Bonum.