Reflection - Travels

By Steve Hall

https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/112721.cfm
Daniel 7:15-27
Luke 21:34-36

Our first reading is from the Book of Daniel. That book is divided into three parts and our present reading is from part two. If it reminds you of the last book of the New Testament, the book of Revelation, that’s probably because both belong to a type of literature known as Apocalyptic literature. Consequently two things come into play here: the first is that a good interpretation is beyond my expertise; the second is that this Apocalyptic section of Daniel has meaning for us today just as all of Scripture does. 

The people of Daniel’s time probably understood the fourth beast to be King Antiochus, who was persecuting the Jews of his day; while the early Christians would take the same reference as being directed at Rome and its emperors, the ones responsible for Christian persecution at the time. Various scholars, and pseudo-scholars, have attempted to explain this Apocalyptic section from a modern perspective. In those efforts Stalin, or Hitler, or Pol Pot or Chairman Mao may take the spotlight as the fourth beast. But as I said: this is above my pay grade. 

Nevertheless, it is important to note the conclusion of these verses because it is in the conclusion that we find the tie in to the Gospel passage.

“Then the kingship and dominion and majesty
of all the kingdoms under the heavens 
shall be given to the holy people of the Most High,
Whose Kingdom shall be everlasting:
all dominions shall serve and obey him.”

I don’t believe it would be stretching things to suggest that these lines refer to the End Times. Therein is the New Testament tie; and again we turn to the closing line — this time, from the Gospel.

“For that day will assault everyone
who lives on the face of the earth.
Be vigilant at all times
and pray that you have the strength
to escape the tribulations that are imminent
and to stand before the Son of Man.”  

Each sees the ‘End’ from a different perspective; but neither cancels out nor negates the other. So we turn to another verse from Luke’s text:

“Beware that your hearts do not become drowsy
from carousing and drunkenness
and the anxieties of daily life,
and that day catch you by surprise like a trap.”

But let’s set that aside for the moment and reflect on elements of a different story.

The list of characters is brief.

• Two marines, Dawson and Downy, while stationed at Gitmo, accidentally kill a fellow soldier while doing what they claim they were told to do.
  
• The soldier who died was PFC Santiago.
  
• The base commander at the time was a certain Col. Jessup, a rigid and, supposedly by-the-book, marine, who denies, but actually did issue the order for Santiago’s harassment.
  
• The defense attorney was Lieutenant Kaffee, a lawyer who regularly took the easy out without regard for the guilt or innocence of the accused.
  

As the court martial moves along, Kaffee calls Jessup to the stand. Kaffee then questions him over his travel habits. Jessup admits packing sets of clothes, including civilian and military, and various other items. He also admits phoning several friends and relatives in order to meet them while in Washington.

Kaffee then points out that Santiago did none of these things. He was supposedly leaving early the next morning for the rest of his life. Yet at the time of his death his clothes were unpacked and still hanging in his closet and, after spending months in desperate and vain attempts to get a transfer, he did not contact anyone or make arrangements to be picked up at the airport.

All of which prompts the question: What are my travel habits? — or yours for that matter? 

Have you packed what you need for the journey? The garment of love . . . Or hate . . . Or indifference . . . The one that you will wear to see the king. Have you made contact through Scripture and prayer with those you expect to see? Have you detached yourself from what ties you to the earth? When preparing for travel there are many decisions to be made. No one wants to carry extra baggage; so what do you bring? No one wants to forget something essential; so when do you begin preparations? No one wants to be restrained by forgotten details; so how do you detach from what you will leave behind?

The questions may seem specious, but they’re not. Do we follow the pattern of Colonel Jessup, who plans to return after a brief visit to the states? Or are we like Private Santiago, who expects to leave and never return? Soon — maybe tomorrow, maybe fifty years from now — we will leave from our present stay. We will not return. How have we prepared?

In a few days we will commence our annual journey through the life of the one we claim as Savior. If we truly celebrate, our festivities will recall the kingdom to which we belong, the power he has extended to us to overcome death and the glory that will soon enmesh us as we worship the Father. All this will soon to be ours, because, like Santiago, we will soon enough be leaving for the rest of our lives. 

“Beware that your hearts do not become drowsy
from carousing and drunkenness
and the anxieties of daily life,
and that day catch you by surprise like a trap.”