The Advent Apocalypse
How could a season so filled with joy and hope start with an apocalyptic reading from scripture?
But there it is in the faith that I follow. The start of the Christmas season always has a lesson from the Mount of Olives where Jesus warns and promises violence and destruction for his followers. It is the period before his trial and execution.
The church has fashioned its liturgical calendar with this evocative literary flashback to deliver us to the story build up, then transport us by Christmas Day to the beginning of the life of Jesus.
Why though? It almost feels distasteful to mar the season of goodwill by selecting readings with carcasses and vultures, weeping and gnashing of teeth.
A holy father on the weekly radio programme of the Jamaican Anglican church explains that it is an opportunity to be more committed to God's work in our lives.
Advent, he says, reminds us to love unconditionally, accept and intervene with acts of social justice and that there is always God's work to be done.
He was speaking specifically to persons living with HIV AIDS and also to reduce violence against women and girls and domestic violence in general.
In our glossy living and the rejection of the negative, we are also covering up and not countering wrong. This is a reminder to be intentional in what we do.
The reading is from Matthew Chapter 24 if you care to explore more. It is called "Little Apocalypse" for good reason. (shivers).
But there it is in the faith that I follow. The start of the Christmas season always has a lesson from the Mount of Olives where Jesus warns and promises violence and destruction for his followers. It is the period before his trial and execution.
The church has fashioned its liturgical calendar with this evocative literary flashback to deliver us to the story build up, then transport us by Christmas Day to the beginning of the life of Jesus.
Why though? It almost feels distasteful to mar the season of goodwill by selecting readings with carcasses and vultures, weeping and gnashing of teeth.
A holy father on the weekly radio programme of the Jamaican Anglican church explains that it is an opportunity to be more committed to God's work in our lives.
Advent, he says, reminds us to love unconditionally, accept and intervene with acts of social justice and that there is always God's work to be done.
He was speaking specifically to persons living with HIV AIDS and also to reduce violence against women and girls and domestic violence in general.
In our glossy living and the rejection of the negative, we are also covering up and not countering wrong. This is a reminder to be intentional in what we do.
The reading is from Matthew Chapter 24 if you care to explore more. It is called "Little Apocalypse" for good reason. (shivers).
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