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Gospel: Luke 21: 25-28, 34-36
Jesus said to his disciples:
“There will be signs in the sun, the moon, and the stars,
and on earth nations will be in dismay,
perplexed by the roaring of the sea and the waves.
People will die of fright
in anticipation of what is coming upon the world,
for the powers of the heavens will be shaken.
And then they will see the Son of Man
coming in a cloud with power and great glory.
But when these signs begin to happen,
stand erect and raise your heads
because your redemption is at hand.
“Beware that your hearts do not become drowsy
from carousing and drunkenness
and the anxieties of daily life,
and that day catch you by surprise like a trap.
For that day will assault everyone
who lives on the face of the earth.
Be vigilant at all times
and pray that you have the strength
to escape the tribulations that are imminent
and to stand before the Son of Man.”
The Gospel of the Lord.
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When is the world going to end? How is it going to end?
Does it end in fire? Does it end in ice?
Such questions have fascinated people from the beginning of time.
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“There will be signs in the sun, the moon, and the stars,” Jesus says in today’s Gospel, “and on earth nations will be in conflict.”
There will be powerful earthquakes, famines, plagues, and the persecution of Christians. It’s a frightening image that has happened in almost every generation, causing people to question:
“Is the world coming to an end?”
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Think of how many times we asked ourselves that question in the 20th century.
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For example, it must’ve felt like the end of the world for those millions of soldiers who fought in World War Two. Those muddy fields and bloody beaches must have looked like the apocalypse.
Hitler was systematically wiping out an entire people, while taking over large swaths of Europe, drawing nation after nation into conflict.
Many wondered if the decisive battle between good and evil had begun.
We know now it wasn’t the finale.
But the experience of World War Two teaches us an important lesson about the end of the world – and our role in it.
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Remember what happened in the summer of 1944. On June 6, Allied troops landed in Normandy where they began their slow, heroic march towards Paris.
Weeks later, as American boots marched through the Arc de Triomphe, many felt that the war was coming to an end. But our troops couldn’t put down their weapons just yet.
It would take nearly another year to reach Hitler. Our generals knew that we could win the war if our troops persevered.
And persevere they did.
On September 2, 1945, World War Two officially ended.
Finally, peace was felt around the world.
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Similarly, we Christians are called to see ourselves like the Allied troops marching through the Arc de Triomphe in Paris. We know that this battle between good and evil can be won.
In a sense, it has been won.
When Jesus conquered death on Easter Sunday, he dealt the devil a decisive blow.
But, there is still work to be done. While Jesus has been raised from the dead, God’s peace isn’t reigning from sea to shining sea just yet. So, we must continue our march.
Think about how many of our brothers and sisters are living in conflict, dying from poverty and the pangs of hunger, and how many more are struggling to find inner peace.
We must continue our march.
Even in our own families, there can be conflict – grudges, poor communication, loneliness, and severed relationships.
We must continue our march.
As Christians, we’re called to bring God’s peace into these areas around us: into our homes, into our Church, and into the world around us.
But that march for peace always begins within.
As one Russian novelist put it, “If only it were all so simple! But the dividing line between good and evil cuts through the heart of every human being. And who is willing to destroy a piece of his own heart?”
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This is what Advent is all about: celebrating the decisive victory that Jesus has won for us, while also acknowledging the fact that there is still work to be done – in the world and within ourselves.
As we enter this prayerful season of waiting for Christ’s return, how can we work for greater peace within ourselves and in the world around us?
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Like the Allied troops marching through the Arc de Triomphe, we are on the right side of history, so long as we persevere in living out our faith.
As we continue our march, we pray in earnest:
Come, Lord Jesus.
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Image credits: (1) History.com (2) Last Judgment, Michelangelo (3) bigcommerce.com (4) Julianne Gilchrist