Jesus and the End of the World
In this Sunday's gospel, (Mark 13, 24-32) Jesus seems to tell us that our world as we know it will come to an end. However, in other places and in more positive terms he tells us our world is not just all going to be annihilated. Rather there will be a new heaven and a new earth. The great questions and/or mysteries about all of this we perhaps can summarize in the questions: when will this take place, how will this happen, and why? Jesus does not give us clear answers to such questions. For him the main issue is that we be ready, be prepared for it when he comes.
And how does one go about this? Again I do not believe his answer is overly clear except to say that we will be ready if we are living lives in the manner he has lived his. Succinctly he is the way, the truth and the life. We should recall that in many places in the gospels he provides parables and stories that simply emphasize be ready, be prepared.
Should these kinds of thoughts be unsettling or disconcerting. Everything is one day coming to an end. Our following Jesus example can be very challenging and difficult. For me the great consolation and encouragement in all of this is what he tells us at the very end of Matthew’s gospel (20, 28) And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the world. We will not undergo this ordeal alone; he will always be there laboring with us.
Jim Blumeyer, S.J.
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