A Tale of Two Cities is the well-known novel by Charles Dickens whose opening line is famous but whose first paragraph is a masterpiece.

It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair, we had everything before us, we had nothing before us, we were all going direct to Heaven, we were all going direct the other way…

The novel explores the theme of resurrection against the tumultuous backdrop of the French Revolution and the contrasting cities of London and Paris. The novel delves into the transformative power of love and sacrifice as characters grapple with personal and societal upheavals. Through the intertwined fates of the main characters the narrative underscores the possibility of redemption and rebirth amid chaos and oppression. It is a commentary on the cyclical nature of human history and the potential for individuals to stand apart from the societal waves and surges that would sweep them away from their human calling.

And you’re thinking… “ok, and what does this have to do with today’s readings?” The first reading is about the Old Testament Judge, Sampson – hero of many cartoons, movies, and elements of modern entertainment. Those modern characterizations of Sampson (Samson) could not be more incorrect. His story is told in the Book of Judges, chapter 13-14. It is not the comic book version.

Samson is the last of the judges/leaders of the Israelites who manages to be worse than his predecessor, far worse. His life began full of promise, but he had no regard for the God of Israel, and he was promiscuous, violent, and arrogant. He brutally won strategic victories over the Philistines, but only at the expense of his integrity. His life comes to an end in a violent rush of mass murder. He was the worst of men in an age of darkness and despair, when all was going the wrong way – away from the God of Israel. Samson was swept away in the upheaval of his times when power and violence were the craft and trade of those who would lead promising redemption from their enemies.

The gospel is about the events leading to the birth of John the Baptist, the herald of the Messiah. His story is the tale of the age of belief, announcing the Light, a spring of hope, when all were directed to the Kingdom of Heaven breaking open. John was the breakwater against the surging tide with only his proclamation of the One to Come who would deliver redemption from sins.

Today’s readings are paired, no doubt, by a couple unable to bear a child, and God sends an angel to tell them that they will conceive a son who is to be a deliverer. The call was to work for the great glory of God. Their stories are very different. The pairing is odd. It is a tale of two men. One leading the people to greater darkness. The other points to the Light of the World.

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