Some of the "end of the world" jokes make me smile:
New trendy baby names - Nostradamus
In all the stores - End of the world sales
Ad - Lose 10 pounds by judgement day
But I confess I laughed aloud for several moments when I read this one:
Every day a preacher named Nathaniel Evans preached on a road in the Arizona desert, "Repent, the End of the World is Nigh!" One day he saw a big lever by the side of the road. "Pull this to end the world" said the sign on it.
This was the spot to preach from and soon crowds were listening. Suddenly an 18-wheel rig came down the highway and couldn't stop. The driver had a choice: run over Nathaniel, or run over the Lever. The driver later explained to police, pointing to the red smear on the road, "Better Nate than Lever."
In actual fact the end of the world or judgement day should not be feared with trembling. As I worked at a BINGO recently I thought that it would not be so bad if the world ended in the next year. I was looking at the schedule of all the Bingos listed for the next year for three groups that I am involved in.
Seriously, in Luke 12 we hear: "Do not be afraid, little flock, for it is the Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom...Be dressed for action and have your lamps lit; be like those waiting for their master to return from the wedding banquetBlessed is the slave whom the master will find at work when he arrives".
We are not left in the dark waiting for the end to come. The Kingdom has come already and we have the opportunity to be active in celebrating the event and being active in that Kingdom. The Eucharist is the ultimate THANKSGIVING celebration.
Loving our neighbour is the action that we are called to.
In Matthew 25:14 we hear the parable of the talents. When the Lord comes at the end time, He will reward us for how we have used our talents. That should be good news! The King will say, "Come you whom my Father has blessedfor I was hungry and you gave me food; I was thirsty and you gave me drink"
When the Israelites were travelling to the Promised Land, they did not dread the arrival there. They did not turn back, though they could have. For us there is no turning back in our life's journey toward judgement. Nor should there be dread. Only hope and joy as we journey on!
