Weekly Article
November 17, 2024
St. Raphael’s Episcopal Church
Submitted by Janet Knipfing-Schult, Chronicle Contributor
Mark’s gospel (13:1-8) for the Twenty-sixth Sunday after Pentecost is often referred to as “The Little Apocalypse.” Jesus was sitting with Peter, James, John, and Andrew opposite the temple, who asked him what will be the signs of the End of Days. Jesus gave them a grim recitation of expectations: “nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; there will be earthquakes in various places; there will be famines. This is but the beginning of the birth pangs.” In his sermon, Fr. Tom Schneider preached that the actual meaning of “Apocalypse” isa revelation or an unveiling. By likening the chaos to childbirth, Jesus offers hope. Through all this disorder, confusion, and fear, something is going to be born. The end is near, it is at hand: that particular end resultis the Kingdom of God. Such is the kingdom that we shall know through, in, and with Christ.
