"It's not like it's the end of the world," we often say when circumstances may seem unpleasant or unfortunate - yet not as bad as they could be. The "end of the world" seems to indicate the ultimate in "bad and unfortunate!" This First Sunday of Advent we hear about the actual "end of the world." Amidst the dire predictions - and they are dire - let's not overlook the note of hope and expectation at the Second Coming of the Lord.
JEREMIAH
Our first reading is Jeremiah's prophetic word of a "just shoot" to come from the descendants of David. It is a prophecy of safety for Judah and security for Jerusalem.
This passage repeats Jeremiah 23:5-6 in predicting a great, wise king to rule as David did. This was fulfilled, of course, in Jesus whose birth we prepare for in Advent.
GOSPEL
Today's gospel describes the Second Coming of Christ at the "end of the world" - Luke's version of what Matthew and Mark also relate in the "Synoptic Apocaypse."
Several meteorological upheavals are described here: signs in the sun, moon, and stars; distress of nations; seas roaring and shaking of the powers of the heavens. An interesting note, to me at least, is that the words rendered here as "people will die of fright" would seem to be more accurately translated as "men fainting from fear."
The most interesting thing, however, is this verse: "But when these signs begin to happen, stand erect and raise your heads
because your redemption is at hand." Luke adds this verse - not found in Matthew or Mark - and it certainly injects a note of hope and anticipation. When the Lord comes again to judge the living and the dead, it will be not only to convict the wicked but to vindicate the righteous!
Luke's ending to this gospel reading gives us some practical helps as we prepare to meet the Lord:
--Don't get distracted and complacent by "carousing, drunkenness and the anxieties of daily life."
--The end will come suddenly, "like a trap, upon all who dwell on earth."
--Watch and pray for strength to escape all the things that will take place and to stand before the Son of Man.
FIRST THESSALONIANS
Today's second reading is also a lesson in preparing for the Lord's coming. St. Paul urges us to "increase and abound in love for one another." We are to be encouraged and "blameless" - that is, free of all unrepented and unforgiven sin. Paul also exhorts us here to conduct ourselves so as to please God.
FEAR AND HOPE
Hearing about the "end of all things" is likely to engender some fear in our hearts. That is to be expected. But that fear has to be mixed with hope. If we accept Jesus as Lord and Savior, repent of our sins, place our faith and trust in Jesus, and live according to his commandments, then we will be able to look forward to his coming - whether at the end of our life or at the end of the world.