"In those days after that tribulation the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will be falling from the sky, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken...And then they will see the Son of Man coming in the clouds with great power and glory..."
As we near the end of the Liturgical (Church) Year, we encounter this reading from Mark’s Gospel about the end of the world. We know of Nostradamus and others who say that they can predict the date of the end of the world. The movie "2012," which dramatizes the supposed ending of the world in December 2012, opens in theaters this weekend. Despite all those predictions, today's reading from the Gospel of Mark reminds us: “But of that day or hour, no one knows, neither the angels in heaven nor the Son, but only the Father.”
While we don't know the day or hour of Christ's return, we do experience endings in our lives. Loved ones die. Children change grades or schools or leave home. Work projects come to an end. Jobs are terminated. But with each ending, we experience a new beginning. When a loved one dies, we believe that their suffering is ended and that they are at peace with God. When children grow up and leave home, we experience new opportunities with not having to maintain some many family schedules. When work projects come to an end, we move on to other projects and endeavors. Even when a job is terminated, there is a new beginning, a new way of life, even if it is a difficult transition.
Endings are inevitable, but as people of Christ, we have hope that with every ending, there is a new beginning. Someday our world as we know it will end, but imagine what it is going to be like with God in heaven for eternity.
Faith Chat Question:
If Jesus returned today, what would you like to be doing? For what would you tell Jesus that you are most grateful?Faith Response: With your family, talk about some endings that you have experienced in your life and family, and how you were able to survive and even experience new life from those endings.
Prayer: Lord Jesus, help us to live each day as if we were meeting you face-to-face. Amen.
