Sunday, November 28, 2021

 

Advent I - C

November 28, 2021

Point of No Return


Luke 21:25-36

 

21:25 "There will be signs in the sun, the moon, and the stars, and on the earth distress among nations confused by the roaring of the sea and the waves.

21:26 People will faint from fear and foreboding of what is coming upon the world, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken.

21:27 Then they will see 'the Son of Man coming in a cloud' with power and great glory.

21:28 Now when these things begin to take place, stand up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near."

21:29 Then he told them a parable: "Look at the fig tree and all the trees;

21:30 as soon as they sprout leaves you can see for yourselves and know that summer is already near.

21:31 So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that the kingdom of God is near.

21:32 Truly I tell you, this generation will not pass away until all things have taken place.

21:33 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.

21:34 "Be on guard so that your hearts are not weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and the worries of this life, and that day catch you unexpectedly,

21:35 like a trap. For it will come upon all who live on the face of the whole earth.

21:36 Be alert at all times, praying that you may have the strength to escape all these things that will take place, and to stand before the Son of Man."

Meditation

How often have the stars given us signs of the end? Even now nations are confused, and the chaos of climate change and an ongoing pandemic indicate the end is near. Christ was a no show in his generation and is a no show now.

What do we do with these words of warning? How are we to understand them in the 21st century? Are we at the point of no return?

Let us not try and twist and reshape these words. Fact is these are apocalyptic prophecy and indeed the seize of Jerusalem and the destruction of the Temple in 70 CE fulfilled some of these signs. The signs are throughout history, over and over again. Yet, we seem to be waiting for Godot.

Was Jesus wrong? Is this a 1st Century misnomer? Are we at the point of No Return?

In response to these questions, I submit the following dialog:

 

The Final Wait (An end time dialog)

 

X:  Extinguish the candle

      before it’s too late.

      Blow out the candle,

      or should we still wait?

 

Y:  Let’s wait

      because...well...because

      there have been so many years.

      Or because it just tears

      us to know the truth.

 

X: ‘What is truth?’

      Remember in his youth

      he was asked that once.

      Only to leave in silence

      on a cross...

      remnants: an empty tomb

      and refreshing supper.

 

Y:  Reasons? Why even try

      to manufacture them.

      We’re fragments

      in a flowing stream

      with no meanings

      except those made up

      for our convenience.

 

X:  Should we look to the world

      and all the change he brought?

 

Y:  No! The kingdom is not there.

 

X:  Then where? In our hearts?

 

Y:  ...any last words before I let go?

    Any final statements like:

    ‘Father, forgive them,’ you know...

    like those he spoke.

 

X:  This sounds like blasphemy,

      or just honest doubt

      unspoken by those who

      fake themselves out.

 

Y:  Extinguish the candle

      before it’s too late.

      Blow out the candle,

      or must we still wait?

 

Z:  Let’s wait...

 

Copyright @2021 by Kenn Storck

May be used with permission.

kennstorck@gmail.com

 

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