What does “apocalypse” mean? Fr. Joseph Dickan, SJ, reflects that it means God has drawn close to us in Christ. Based on the readings for the First Sunday of Advent.
What do you picture when you hear the word “apocalypse”?
Hi, I’m Father Joseph Dickan, and this is my one-minute homily.
In today’s Gospel, Jesus predicts apocalyptic signs that signal how God’s glory is breaking into our world in a new way. But while movies about the end times typically focus on destruction, we get a different vision of apocalypse from our readings this Advent season.
From its Greek root, apocalypse means “to uncover” or “reveal.” And our first reading from Jeremiah shows us that the signs Jesus predicts are all about God drawing near.
God will show his faithfulness by fulfilling his promise to comfort and save his people. And we’ll come to know God in a new way, as “the Lord our justice.”
During Advent, we celebrate that God has already begun to fulfill these promises through Jesus Christ. Jesus reveals God’s presence in a new way, and we pray “Come, Lord Jesus” because this apocalypse brings us hope and joy.
Let’s stay alert and hopeful, watching for the everyday signs of Emmanuel–God with us.
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