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The Apocalypse In Our Time As we near the end of the church year we are reminded again of end times. Today’s gospel is a solid reminder that when the end comes it will not be a pretty sight. If we think about these words of the gospel writer and allow them to sink in knowing the destruction in our present time of wars, famines, natural disasters, the likes of terrorism and 9/11, our heart rate should quicken. The final tribulation will be like no other in history, and the fainthearted, the unprepared will be terrified. It’s hard to remember a time when the state of the world was without any threats of cosmic or manmade disasters. Each year we seem to hear that the present has reached new heights of turmoil and is more dangerous than ever. Yet, for the persons who are not directly involved in the present circumstances of hardships there is a strong inclination to wear emotional and mental blinders, to duck the magnitude of what is happening elsewhere in order to preserve oneself. Modern day mystic Andrew Harvey says it another way. Instead of being informed about the true dimension of the global crisis and our role in the crisis, we are subjected daily to an avalanche of celebrity trivia, “reality” shows, pornography and violence. All of this makes us anxious, depressed, and fearful, and keeps us addicted to our destructive consumerist way of life. While we chase after what keeps us busy but never fulfills, the modern day person has no time and no peace, the essential ingredients of a spiritual life (Spiritualityhealth.com 9/7/06). Bad times all around us evoke powerful emotions within us. And when we seek to avoid the truth by staying on the hamster wheel, running faster and faster to make us believe we are living fully, then our lives are not conducive to be alert for the things of God. When Jesus looked over Jerusalem with his disciples and revealed future happenings, he wanted to get their attention so that they would live fully in the moment but prepared for trials and hardship to come. True to what Jesus said that day, the temple did fall (70AD). It was a horrible time for Israel. But the end of the world did not happen. So the obvious question for us to ask; if 2000 years have passed and Christ still hasn’t come are Jesus’ words relevant today? And, if relevant, are they true for us? The answer to both is yes. Jesus’ warning that day on the hillside with his disciples was intended to alert them, to motivate them to hold fast to him and his gift of faith. So it is for us today, the Body of Christ, the Church! Tertullian said that “faith watches for the day for which it remains ignorant and trembles daily for that which it daily hopes.” We do not need to know the date of tribulation and suffering. If we did we might not think there was a need to take things seriously right now. This in -between time is for taking stock of our spiritual lives. What do we worship? What pagan sacrilege do we put on our altar? Is it our desire for more and more, yet never satisfied; is our primary purpose in life to engage in the pursuit of happiness? Or does the world condition and the issues of hunger, suffering, the realities of war, nation against nation, political party against party, cause us to realize that mankind’s condition is lacking? If so, that is exactly the place hope begins! Knowing the truth about who we are in a broken world is the first step to hearing the good news. And the good news is; we do not have to put our trust in a dark and meaningless wasteland, or in our own self- centered sinfulness. The word of hope for those who believe and follow Christ continues to be Christ’s love. Salvation is real. His healing and anointing are real. Therefore in this 21st century we are called to a lasting and resolute faith, to be vigilant, to persevere, to take the words of Jesus to heart and be encouraged that God’s faithfulness in difficulties/ordeals, now and to come, will be enough to hold us. If we place our hope is in Christ, we are to recognize false teachers and leaders who will lead us astray. A prime example of false teaching was in this week’s Episcopal magazine, The Living Church. In an interview, W.R. de Rijke, chairman of the Western Bible Foundation, spoke on a new Dutch Bible translation that eliminates passages related to economic justice and money. He says: “Jesus was very inspiring for our inner health, but we don’t need to take his naïve remarks about money seriously. He didn’t study economics, obviously” (Living Church, 11/19/06. p. 10) I didn’t know whether to be outraged with his gaudy hubris, or laugh at the absurdity of Jesus’ lack of understanding compared to what (we think ) we understand today. De Rijke’s words are not the only ones along this line. Many other scholars and leaders are using the same phrase: Jesus didn’t know then what we have discovered in our modern times. I believe that if we integrated the words of Jesus regarding economics we might find ourselves reflecting on the meaning of personal stewardship to bring about a more just society that is less lopsided with wealth and privilege. But, that is a subject for another day. Augustine (4th century) said: “The prideful one that pretends one knows something one does not know, is a greater moral danger then the awareness of (one’s) limited knowledge. Our collect today, on the other hand, is a reliable guide; to learn, mark, inwardly digest the Word of God, to put it into our memories for recall, and into our hearts as our foundation, and to use it as the measuring stick for teaching how we are to live. Of course Scripture does not speak directly to every issue and situation of life, but the principles for all of life are all there. Hope in Christ means we do not shrink back. We can be confident and persevere. Being in God’s word is primary. Standing on his word follows. Christ knows the thoughts of our minds which are stirred by our present motives, and, He knows our thoughts tomorrow will be aroused by the impulses of our future desires (Contemporary Commentary on Apostolic Fathers)). So what are we to do? Christians have been given all that we need in the power of the Holy Spirit to be in conversation with the Lord- not like the disciples were that day on the hill- but by putting God’s laws in our minds, and allowing them to be engraved on our hearts. And, we can hold on to Christ believing that he wants what is best for us. Therefore we do not have to be afraid to be near him, too proud to present ourselves to him for cleansing of our conscience. Our hope continues to be taking refuge under the counsel and protection of God; as the psalmist tells us, to set the Lord always before us and because he is near we shall not fall. I want us to imagine all of us from All Saints’ parish sitting on that hill with Jesus overlooking Jerusalem. What might he say to us as he looks into our hearts and minds and teaches us about the things to come? He might recite words from the psalms himself- those who run after other gods shall have their troubles multiplied (Ps. 16). By his presence Jesus says stay with me and I will show you life and with me you will find real joy. Be confident in my words. I want you to stir up one another to love and good works. Encourage one another. If necessary suffer with each other but do not cause suffering for one another. And, if you have found life in me, because of my forgiveness for you, humble yourselves before the Body and do the same. Do not grieve the Holy Spirit and be divided. I am coming back for those who love me, and love each other and are the Body of believers who listen to my word and live in my truth. It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God… The Lord will judge his people. He is coming my dear brothers and sisters and I personally want us all to be ready! Do you think we are? Are you ready if he should come today? Amen. |
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