The Son of Man

[Homily. 1 December 2023.  Based on Dan 7:15-27 and Lk 21: 34-36]

Before and after our celebration of the Feast of Christ the King, we have been hearing readings that might be called “apocalyptic.”  Last week, we read from the two books of Maccabees; this week from the book of Daniel.  Apocalyptic literature was very much appreciated, especially from the second century BC and onwards, when there was heavy persecution of the Jews, then later, of Christians.  They conveyed that the Lord had not abandoned his people in their persecution.  All powerful, the Lord intervenes in history.  He is faithful to his own who are faithful to him. 

Thus, even if we have celebrated the Feast of Christ the King, and have renewed ourselves in the hope of his Second Coming as King and just Judge of heaven and earth, that judgement and that fulfillment is yet to come.  Meanwhile, in this world we are called to remain vigilant, and to remain faithful to all the Lord has taught us, not only in words, but in deeds – no matter the cost. 

Today’s reading from Daniel speaks about the persecutions of the Jews in the two centuries before the coming of Christ.  They are represented in a vision by four beasts:

The  Winged lion represents Babylon – which destroyed Jerualem and sent its peole iinto exile.  It represents the Babylonian King Nebuchadnezzar and later his son, Belshazzar.

The Voracious Bear represents the Median Empire, the old Persians of Iran, which grew swiftly by consuming its neighboring countries.

The Swift Leopard represents the Persians who under the strong and enlightened leadership of Cyrus swiftly gained dominion over the known world under the leadership of Cyrus.

The Different Terrible Beast represents Greek or Seleucid rulers originating with Alexander the Great.  The ”little horn” represemts the worst of these rulers, Antiochus IV Epiphanes, who usurped the throne and was responsible for terrible persecution of the Jews. 

Against this background of persecution, Daniel has a vision of the heavenly court of God… presided over by God, the Ancient One, sitting on his throne.

A heavenly “court” is convened.   Books were opened.  The beasts clash with each other in court.   The terrible beast is overwhelmed and killed.  The other beasts are allowed to live.

Then Daniel sees a mysterious figure:  ONE LIKE THE SON OF MAN
COMING ON THE CLOUDS OF HEAVEN…
When he reached the Ancient One and was presented before him,
He received dominion, glory and kingship,
nations and peoples of every language serve him.
His dominion is an everlasting dominion that shall not be taken away,
His kingship shall not be destroyed. 

As Jews and early Christians endured their persecution, they were comforted by this mysterious apocalyptic prophecy in Daniel.  In the end, despite their travails and suffering, God wins, the Ancient One wins, in handing over everlasting dominion to the Son of Man….

Jesus’ preaching the Good News of the Kingdom of God was controversial.  He wanted to lead his listeners to fidelity to God but there were so many influences impacting on their lives.  First, with the demands of sheer survival in Jewish society at that time, not everyone was interested in God;  people had to work, to earn money.  Jesus proclaimed that the Kingdom of God was at hand.  But when he healed on the Sabbath it was controversial.  When he forgave sins, it was controversial. When he insinuated that the Kingdom of God was not just for the Jews but for others as well, it was controversial.  And when he regularly referred to himself as the Son of Man, it was controversial.  It was controversial because he was basically claiming that the prophecy of Daniel was fulfilled in him.

He identified himself with the mysterious Son of Man in Daniel’s vision… as he who receives everlasting Dominion from God himself.

That’s what is manifest in Matthew’s vision of Christ the King and Just Judge of heaven and earth.  Matthew says, …they will see the Son of Man coming upon the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.  And he will send out his angels with trumpet blast, and they will gather the elect from the four winds, from the end of the heavens to the other.  Mt. 24:30-31

On the day of judgment, Matthew says it is “the Son of Man” who comes in his glory, and all the angels with him. He sits upon his glorious throne, and all the nations will be assembled before him.  It is the heavenly court.  And then the Son of Man judges, separating sheep from goats.  He judges, having received from the Heavenly Father dominion in an everlasting dominion. 

Jesus’ teaching with authority, healing with power, judging with justice flow from his dominion as Son of Man.  In our Gospel for today Jesus says, “When you see these things happening, know that the Kingdom of God is near” (Lk 21:31).  Meanwhile, in our time, as we meet the challenges of our lives and endure our trials, we take comfort in Jesus’ being the Son of Man.  But because he is the Son of Man to whom all power is given, we remain faithful.