Dan 12:1-3: Heb 10:11-14, 18; Mk 13:24-32
At the gate. The readings speak of the end times and places where God will be revealed. Daniel prophecies times of distress, and in Mark, Jesus says “the sun will be darkened.” Sounds like today. The news of the last ten days: The Russian Metrojet crash; twin suicided bombings in Beirut; the coordinated bombing attacks in Paris. One might think that next “stars will be falling from the sky and the powers in the heavens will be shaken.”
But there is also reason for hope. Jesus points to the rebirth of life in the fig tree, its sprouts of leaves. Jesus tells us, “When you see these things happening, know that he is near, at the gates,” or, in the blue sky abopve our church, or I might add, the Brightleaf condominium grounds late one afternoon at sunset. I was literally stopped in my tracks by the beauty of the setting sun. I had a sense that God was near: “from the rising of the sun to its setting.” Resisting every compulsion to move on, I stopped to watch the scene. I praised and thanked God for the beauty falling upon Brightleaf condominiums. I sensed allowed God filling me with hope. The theologian Karl Rahner tells us we have a God who comes close. The poet William Wordsworth in “Tintern Abbey,” says such moments can bring “tranquil restoration.” Today’s gospel points to coming darkness, the dead of winter, for sure. The readings do describe the apocalypse: death, judgement, heaven and hell. But they also point to rebirth. The darkness of Advent is pierced by growing light, week by week.
For you: Where in your ordinary day of dark news, have you experienced a moment of hope? They tell us that God is with us, even amidst the darkness in our world. I am here. Peace I give you, not as the world gives. God is with us most especially in the Eucharist, a moment of eternity. In the Elevation of the Host, time stops. We touch the Eternal when we receive the Body of Christ. In darkness, there is light. In Advent, the dark days of the year, the candle light grows brighter. We pray “Maranatha”/“Come, Lord Jesus.”
Remember the moments of hope that break into your day to assure you that God is near. Where does God break in, no matter the breaking news on CNN? God’s news is good news. Give thanks for it.