The 23rd Sunday after Pentecost, Nov. 16, 2003 (Proper 28B)
Dan. 12:1-4a (5-13); Psalm 16 (or Psalm 16:5-11); Heb. 10:31-39; Mark 13:14-23
We have apocalyptic literature confronting us here. We are forced to ask a question. Are these passages speaking of the end times which Christians believe will be characterized by the second coming of Christ; or are they speaking of difficult times that emotionally seem like the end? Daniel tells us that even though it will be a time of deliverance, it will not be a pleasant time. When Michael comes we will have a time of anguish (Dan. 12:1). There will be more suffering in those days than ever before (Mark 13:19). All this seems like the end. The letter to the Hebrews says things that resonate with this theme. “It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God” (Heb. 10:31). Yet it tells us not to abandon confidence (Heb. 10:35).
Jesus speaks of a sign of these times as “the desolating sacrilege set up where it ought not to be” (Mark 13:14). This is not the first time “a desolating sacrilege” is set up. There are four other references to it (Dan. 11:31; Dan. 12:11; 1 Mac 1:53; 2 Mac. 6:2). In each case it is some kind of desecration of the temple. It is in Maccabees that we have our clearest understanding what this might be. An altar to Olympian Zeus was set up in the Jerusalem temple and perhaps a statue to him. This made the Jews feel the end had come. But in each case it was not the end.
So maybe these passages are not about the end times but about hard times. Another indication that this is the case is that Jesus tells us that in those days people will say the Messiah is here or there. He tells us not to believe it (Mark 13:21). When the end comes we are supposed to see the Messiah. The end will come but that will be later. The conclusion is that if the Messiah is not to come in these days of desolating sacrilege then this is not the end.
Many people in the Episcopal Church interpret the decisions of the recent General Convention as a desolating sacrilege. Many see the decisions as messianic vindication. However, these are hard times for both sides. As Jesus warns us, let’s not be so quick to see the Messiah here or there. This is not the end. We have had times like this before and there will be times like this again. Even though Christ is not coming now, in the sense of the second coming at the end, he does come daily. He especially comes as we celebrate Eucharist where around the table people from both sides gather in love. The advice of Jesus is not to separate from each other but to “be alert” (Mark 13:23). We never know what God has in store for us. We never know. We do not lose confidence. Let’s be alert.
Look It Up
Look up someone who disagrees with you about the decisions of General Convention and express your Christian unity with him or her.
Think About It
Call to mind some event in your life that at the time seemed devastating to you. What grace came from that situation? How did God use it for good?
Next Sunday
The Last Sunday after Pentecost, Nov. 23, 2003 (Proper 29B)
Dan. 7:9-14; Psalm 93; Rev. 1:1-8; John 18:33-37 (or Mark 11:1-11)
