Homily for the Thirty-Third Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B
Daniel 12.1-3 Psalm 16 Hebrews 10.11-14, 18 Mark 13.24-32
December 21, 2012. On that date, just a little more than three years from now, the Long Count Mayan Calendar ends, according to some scholars. And since the ancient Mayan people have predicted so many world events so well, then these same scholars tell us that something cataclysmic will happen to the world on 12-21-12. There are different opinions of just what will happen. Some say that a meteor will hit the earth, others that there will be a massive solar flare from the sun that will burn our planet. Some look to the earth’s core erupting through volcanoes, others to global warming or a modern-day plague. But whatever it is, things will never be the same – many are even saying that this will be the end of the world. Or so it is in the movie 2012 that was released this weekend. So they say in the dozens of books on the topic at any local bookstore. And so it is on the thousands of websites that are counting down the days to the end of time, offering for sale all kinds of things that may help you survive the great tribulation. On December 21, 2012 – are you ready?
Of course, there is no credible scientific evidence that the world will end on December 21, 2012. And if you know anything about history, the end of the world has been predicted hundreds of times, often giving exact date for earthly destruction – none of which have come true. But for us who are Christian, Jesus is very clear on this issue. He talks openly about the end of time, about a great tribulation, about the earth passing away. It will happen. But when will it happen? In the words of Jesus himself, “of that day or hour, no one knows, neither the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father” (Mark 13.32). No one will know. So what’s with many people’s obsession with predicting the end? Especially for Christians, many of whom seem to have forgotten these very clear words of Jesus?
It seems to me that it’s all about fear. There is a part of most people that is naturally afraid of what we don’t know, of what we can’t predict, especially when it comes to something as scary as the end of the world. We’re quite happy with things the way they are, thank you very much! Even if our lives aren’t perfect, most of us would rather live an imperfect existence than have it taken away from us in the blink of an eye. What exactly we’re afraid of might be different in each of us – some are afraid of losing what they have, some are afraid of the unknown, some are afraid that they have not had enough time to live a good and holy life, some are even afraid to meet God. That fear can easily transform itself into an obsession with trying to figure things out; even if we don’t believe that the world will end in 2012, we can easily become fascinated by the two simple words: what if …
But if we go back to Jesus, just like we always should, then we’ll find that the end of time is not something to fear. Because, when it does happen, the Son of Man will come in the clouds, he will gather all his people to him so that they might live with him forever. The end of time is not the end of existence; it is the beginning of our eternity, an eternity with God, a new heavens and a new earth that will far surpass in greatness everything we have ever known or experienced. It will be a day to rejoice, not a day to be afraid, because God is in charge, and with God there is only goodness, and hope, and love, and peace.
So will the world end in 2012? Jesus Christ is just as likely to return to earth then as he is today or on February 6, 2714. Of that day or hour, no one knows. But he will come, when we least expect it. He will come in glory, he will come in peace, he will come to make all things new. And it will be a day of great rejoicing. Are you ready for that?
1 comment:
Wow, thank you! The message was encouraging - though, not exactly an answer to what I googled. I had typed in "Does God say anything about fearing the end of the world?" But I think my question could better be put as "Does the WORD of God say anything about fearing eternity?" Still, I feel as if Satan was tempting me with fear. An unsettling boiled up from within my stomach; plenty of nights have been consumed with just thinking about this topic. I may only be sixteen, but sometimes... in the quiet, I really do wonder. What Jesus said about the end days was comforting, your reminder as well. I know the verse. In fact, I've quoted it many times. But it was far from my mind as I lay here wondering my selfish and silly questions. But its simple, probably. Isaiah contains another reassuring message; Isaiah 55:6-11. Seek the Lord while He may be found, call upon Him while He is near; let the wicked forsake their way, and the unrighteous their thoughts; let them return to the Lord, that He may have mercy on them, and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon. For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways, says the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts.”
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