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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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I was in Atlanta this past week visiting my brother and his family for Thanksgiving. It’s always heart-warming being with them, especially with my nieces and nephew.
As I was leaving them at the drop-off area of the airport, I noticed a car in front of us with a large bumper sticker with the words: Jesus Is Coming Soon!
I paused and thought to myself, “Not if he’s flying Spirit Airlines!”
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In today’s Gospel, the Lord tells us that he is coming again. His glorious return will be preceded by frightening events such as earthquakes, wars and famine.
What makes his return impossible to predict is the fact that these events have happened repeatedly throughout history.
For example, just forty years after Christ’s death and resurrection, both the city of Jerusalem and the Temple, God’s dwelling place on earth, were destroyed.
Christians were being led before kings and governors and martyred en masse, leading many to wonder if the end were near.
Even so, the Lord forewarned Christians not to succumb to the anxiety and fear which would naturally arise in their hearts.
Nor were they to fall into the temptation to “seize the day,” wallowing in drunkenness and pleasure, throwing caution to the wind, living without any thought of divine judgment.
They were to work, pray, and yes, enjoy life’s blessings, while always being mindful of what matters in the end.
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Like those first Christians, many have wondered if the end were near over the last century as we’ve endured threats of nuclear war, the Cuban Missile Crisis, and two World Wars.
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Just imagine being one of the millions of soldiers who fought heroically during World War Two. Those muddy fields and blood-stained 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. Rightly, many wondered, like those first Christians did, if this were the end.
We know now it wasn’t.
But the experience of World War Two provides a modern way to understand the end of the world – and our role in it.
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On June 6, 1944, 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 end of the war was in sight. But our troops couldn’t put down their weapons just yet.
It would take nearly another year to reach and defeat Hitler.
Finally, when the war ended, nations cried out in a collective voice, “Never again.”
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As Christians, we’re called to see ourselves like the Allied troops marching through Paris. We know 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. God’s peace isn’t reigning from sea to shining sea just yet. So, we continue our march.
Think about how many of our brothers and sisters are still living in conflict, dying from poverty and the pangs of hunger, and how many more are struggling to find inner peace.
For them, we continue our march.
Even in our own families, there can be conflict, grudges, poor communication, loneliness, and severed relationships.
For us, we continue our march.
This is our mission as Christians, to spread God’s kingdom of peace wherever we go, aware that mission always starts 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 about: celebrating the decisive victory that Jesus has won for us, while also acknowledging the fact that there is still work to be done – not only “out there,” but also within.
As we await the Lord’s return, what changes might I need to make in my own life? Or how can I work for greater peace around me?
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Like the Allied troops marching through the Arc de Triomphe, or those first Christians affirming their faith before kings and governors, we are on the right side of history, so long as we persevere in faith.
As we continue our march, we pray collectively:
Come, Lord Jesus.
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Image credits: (1) Shutterstock (2) The Atlantic (3) Amazon.com
