Readings, November 18, 2007

Malachi
Chapter 3 19 For lo, the day is coming, blazing like an oven, when all the proud and all evildoers will be stubble, And the day that is coming will set them on fire, leaving them neither root nor branch, says the LORD of hosts. 20 But for you who fear my name, there will arise the sun of justice with its healing rays; And you will gambol like calves out of the stall

Catholic Fundamentalism Interpretation:

The day is coming when those who violate their operating instructions and damage others' programs will be dried stems of grass, stuck in the dirt, unable to escape the coming fire that will burn clear down below the surface, utterly consuming them.  But, for you who fear even The Name of The Programmer, there will arise the bright light of justice, and your damaged programs will be healed.  You will dance like the young released from prison.

Reading II

2 Thessalonians
Chapter 3 7 For you know how one must imitate us. For we did not act in a disorderly way among you, 8 nor did we eat food received free from anyone. On the contrary, in toil and drudgery, night and day we worked, so as not to burden any of you. 9 Not that we do not have the right. Rather, we wanted to present ourselves as a model for you, so that you might imitate us. 10 In fact, when we were with you, we instructed you that if anyone was unwilling to work, neither should that one eat. 11 We hear that some are conducting themselves among you in a disorderly way, by not keeping busy but minding the business of others. 12 Such people we instruct and urge in the Lord Jesus Christ to work quietly and to eat their own food.

Interpretation

We showed you how The Program wants His believers to behave.  We did not disrupt other programs among you, and we didn't take advantage of the hard work of the other human programs, but provided for ourselves.  To make money, we made tents during the day and taught you about The Program at night so you wouldn't be financially burdened.   We could have asked you to support us, but we wanted to make a perfect example for ourselves, so that you, too, would help The Program without seeking gain.  In fact, we told you that if anyone was unwilling to work for other human programs, they should not eat.  We hear that some among you are making trouble and interfering with other's business.  Such people we instruct and urge, in The Program, to work quietly and eat their own food.  ("Don't take welfare." is one lesson. 

Gospel

Luke
Chapter 21 5 1 While some people were speaking about how the temple was adorned with costly stones and votive offerings, he said, 6 "All that you see here--the days will come when there will not be left a stone upon another stone that will not be thrown down." 7 Then they asked him, "Teacher, when will this happen? And what sign will there be when all these things are about to happen?" 8 He answered, "See that you not be deceived, for many will come in my name, saying, 'I am he,' and 'The time has come.' 2 Do not follow them! 9 When you hear of wars and insurrections, do not be terrified; for such things must happen first, but it will not immediately be the end." 10 Then he said to them, "Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. 11 There will be powerful earthquakes, famines, and plagues from place to place; and awesome sights and mighty signs will come from the sky. 12 "Before all this happens, 3 however, they will seize and persecute you, they will hand you over to the synagogues and to prisons, and they will have you led before kings and governors because of my name. 13 It will lead to your giving testimony. 14 Remember, you are not to prepare your defense beforehand, 15 for I myself shall give you a wisdom in speaking 4 that all your adversaries will be powerless to resist or refute. 16 You will even be handed over by parents, brothers, relatives, and friends, and they will put some of you to death. 17 You will be hated by all because of my name, 18 but not a hair on your head will be destroyed. 19 By your perseverance you will secure your lives.

Interpretation

As some people were talking about the expensive parts outside of the temple, He (The Program, in loving, perfect, human form) said, "All that you see here?  The days will come when there won't be a stone on another stone that won't be torn down."  Then, they asked Him, "Teacher, when will this happen?  What warning sign will there be?"

He replied, "Take care not to let yourselves be deceived, for many will come in my name, claiming to be me, and saying 'The end is here.'  Don't believe them!  When you hear of wars and insurrections, don't be afraid, for that must happen first, but it won't immediately be the end." 

Then, He told them, "Divisions of the human programs will rise against each other, and kingdom will fight against kingdom.  There will be powerful dispruptions to the Globe Program, food production programs, and bacterial and viral programs from place to place.  Awesome programs will be downloaded directly from the sky.  Before all this happens, however, they will hand you over to those mired in programs that they refuse to erase.  Don't prepare your defense beforehand, for I will help you program your words so well that all your adversaries will be unable to deny your logic. 

"You will even be handed over (to the synagogues, prisons, and leaders) by your own family members.  Some of you will be put to death.  You will be hated because of my name (in part, because they are pledged to uphold love and truth against those who profit from hate and lies), but not even the smallest part of your bodywill fail to be reprogrammed perfectly in place at Judgment Day."