Advent I - C
November 28, 2021
Point of No Return
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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