Sermon - 11-14-21

<p>Today’s gospel reading from Mark is guaranteed to raise one’s heart rate a bit as Jesus begins to tell the disciples about signs of the end of the age. This entire chapter in Mark's gospel is called the <em>little apocalypse</em> because it falls into the genre of apocalyptic writing. Apocalyptic literature was a special kind of writing that was very popular during Jesus’ lifetime and in the early church. What “apocalyptic” means is to pull back the veil, to reveal what one might call the underbelly of reality. It uses hyperbolic images like stars falling from the sky, the moon turning to blood, and violent future earthquakes. The closest comparable literature in contemporary 21st century writing would possibly be science fiction, where suddenly you’re placed in an utterly different world, where what you used to call “normal” doesn’t apply anymore. So, as you listen to today’s gospel reading you need to understand it is <em>meant </em>to shock. It is also very important to note, the purpose of apocalyptic literature is <strong>not</strong> to foretell the future as some fundamentalists would have you believe. No, the purpose of apocalyptic literature is to encourage faithfulness and patience in the <strong>present</strong> time, in <strong>present</strong> challenges. In fact, one commentator, when talking about apocalyptic literature, writes, "The premium of discipleship is placed <strong>not</strong> on predicting the future but on <em>faithfulness in the present</em>, especially in trials, adversity, and suffering."  This is precisely what the thirteenth chapter of Mark is about. It is also important to look at the last words of today’s reading. After Jesus mentions frightening things that will take place, he says, “This is but the beginning of the <strong>birth pangs</strong>.”  <strong>Birth pangs bring forth new life</strong>. Apocalypse is for the sake of <strong>birth,</strong> <strong>not</strong> <strong>death</strong>. Yet most of us have heard this reading as a threat. It is <strong>not a threat</s