The End of Time

11-14-2021Weekly ReflectionFr. Anthony Okolo, C.S.Sp

As the liturgical year gradually winds down, the church directs our attention to the end time when everything comes to a halt including our own lives. The nature of it, the process it would take and what happens after all, remains a mystery to us. However, death is one thing that will come to each of us whether we accept it or not, whether we believe it or not, there is no doubt that no one lives forever. Living Liturgy succinctly says, “For death is coming for each of us, whether we will confront it in our own personal eschaton or in the cosmic apocalyptic drama as described in the Gospel of Mark”. Even if “the end” does not occur in our time, even if another group of end time prophets falsely calculate Jesus’ return and offer a precise date that does not come to pass, we will still come to our end. How are we preparing for it?’

The readings remind us that it is not for us to be afraid, nervous or fearful for anything because the date and time is not known to anyone including the Son of Man. Rather the readings exhort us to realize we are pilgrims on a journey, thus we are encouraged not to lose sight of that final destination which is to encounter the Lord face to face at the end. This would require an evaluation of our relationship with God, with our fellow human beings and our approach to things. A good reflection on these aspects would be of great assistance to prepare us to the end time.

The first reading from the Book of Daniel is a prophesy of the end of time. In this prophecy he gives words of consolation and also warning of the coming end time. According to the prophecy, “it shall be a time unsurpassed in distress since nation began until that time. At that time your people shall escape, everyone who is found written in the book.” Some of these apocalyptic writings have generated different interpretations which have led some false preachers to ascribe a dates to the second coming of Jesus or of the end time.

I can still remember the many prophecies by the so-called false prophets of men and women of God before the year 2000. There were too many prophecies and some were contradicting themselves. Some even gave a day and time the rapture would happen. But we are still here today and the rapture is yet to happen. What this means is that we should never allow ourselves to be deceived by the so many people who go about telling us that rapture will happen today or tomorrow. Jesus Himself stated clearly in today’s gospel, “but of that day or hour, no one knows, neither the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.” What is important is for us to live our lives in line with the spirit of Christ and never be afraid. God is all we need in our lives. What is sure is that in the end the Lord of all history will finally triumph over sin and the powers of evil in all their manifestation in the world. As followers of Christ therefore, we must heed the message of conversion and repentance in readiness for the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ.

The Gospel of today ended by saying “But of that day or hour, no one knows neither the angels in heaven nor the Son, but only the Father”. All we are told is that the end of this world as we know it will certainly come. But no date or time is given, which means we should not allow ourselves to be deceived by anyone who claims he or she knows the time of rapture. Let us just live our lives in God and allow the merciful Lord to take us to our home each time he calls us.

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