Scripture text: Daniel 12:1-3, Mark 13:1-8
I originally was going to begin this sermon with a cutesy comment about how the Christmas onslaught has already begun, even here in the church, with our Apocalyptic themed Scripture readings this Sunday. It’s always struck me as a little odd that we enter into this time of remembrance regarding Christ’s first coming by talking a lot about his second.
But I’ve put most of that behind me this morning after the news that has splashed across our TV screens all weekend long. The horrific terrorist attack in Paris has made cutesy comments and jokes somewhat inappropriate and the Apocalyptic texts of this morning all the more timely and fitting to speak to our mood this morning.
Je me souviens (Yes, I know that's the motto of Quebec, but it seems fitting here).
Image courtesy of Wikipedia
Because here we are again. Admittedly this time we’re not the victims as we were on 9/11 but the feeling is very similar. A heartfelt but sadly likely temporary call of unity, and then the onslaught of hatred and anger towards those who are different from us. Some of that latter part has already begun as Muslims the world over, people who have rejected repeatedly the violence of groups like ISIS and Al Qaeda, prepare to pay for the evil of those groups with their own blood. They know what’s coming.
I find a certain irony even within our own calls of unity and support towards the French people. Photographs of the American flag before le tour Eiffel on the days after 9/11 are circulating widely, reminding us of how we stood together during that crisis, but I also remember how quickly we started ordering “freedom fries” at McDonald's when the French stood against our folly in Iraq.
Picture found at Time.com
But this is what we do. This is what fear does to us. The lizard brain kicks in and we lash out at any and all enemies, real or simply perceived. And in doing so we can cause plenty of harm against innocent people who have done nothing to us, but merely have some association with our enemies that may only exist in our own minds.
But perhaps that is why it is fitting that we hear from our Scriptures these Apocalyptic texts. The visions of Daniel and the predictions from Jesus himself. On the surface, as is often the case, we find little obvious comfort in these words. Tales of earthquakes, violence, and warfare coming upon the Earth. And what is it that we see when we turn on the TV right now?
We see things as they are. We see the brokenness of our world. We see pain and anger and hatred, much of it from others, but some of it our own.
There are two answers to these times. And far too often we have chosen the quick and easy answer of fear. But fear can consume our souls and make us forget our ideals, our truths. It drives us to embrace the worst of our natures. It turns us from civilized people into barbarians in short order.
Fear is the reason racism, sexism, xenophobia, homophobia, and all sorts of other forms of hatred are becoming acceptable again in our society. We look upon those who are different as a threat. Fear is what drives us into nonsensical outrages over red cups and “happy holidays.”
Fear is blinding us to problems we could solve easily, if we hadn’t become so paranoid over those whose political views are different from ours. Fear is getting people killed, with guns being drawn at the drop of a hat. A man asking for a light gets a gun pulled on him. A guy texting in a movie theatre is shot and killed. Fear is what drives a vocal few to call for the genocide of the Muslim people, to call for the death of 1.6 billion people. If such a thing were possible, can you imagine? Hitler’s holocaust one hundred and thirty times over.
We can lose our minds because of fear. And we are very much in danger of it now.
There is a curious line in the passage from Daniel that stood out at me in the midst of these things. Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the sky. What does it mean to be wise in these times? Well, therein lies our second answer to these things. I think it is to keep perspective. To remember the truth. To hold to our ideals, our best selves, when the rest of the world seems to be going insane.
These things that have been happening have always been happening. Yes, the TV and the Internet make them more immediate, but this is nothing new. Our world is broken. And that means there has never been a time when there hasn’t been conflict and warfare and violence going on somewhere. This is nothing new. We’ve always found excuses to kill one another.
But add to them by looking around in our own neighborhoods at those who are different and see a threat. Change is a constant in our world. And yes, the demographics of our nation are changing. People of color are becoming more populous. Non-Christians are becoming more commonplace. This also is nothing new. And we’ve had these sorts of scares before. The Irish! The Chinese! The Germans! Immigrants are going to destroy us. Except they haven’t. They’re us now.
Funny how quaint this seems now.
Image courtesy of wildgeese.irish
All too often, we discover that what we fear is not what we think it is. We’ve been tricked, fooled into hating something that is not our enemy.
I often think this is the devil’s plan. The powers of evil in this world throw a whole slew of frightening things at us and then watch as we scurry around like rats in a panic. And the question before each one of us is are we going to hold fast to what we know is true? Are we going to remain steadfast to the promises of God? He who has given us life and salvation through his son. What can the world do to us when we have that? What reason have we to lose our heads with fear when that is what we truly believe?
You see that’s what Apocalyptic literature is really about. It’s what these texts are trying to tell us: the simple fact, that no matter what happens, God wins. In the midst of all times, good and bad, God is in control. As chaotic as it can be, this is still his world.
It is a popular meme that the phrase “Fear not” appears 365 times in the Scriptures, once for each day of the year.
I haven’t gone through to count them, I’ll admit, but I do know that many Biblical scholars say there is no phrase or word in all of the Scriptures more important than that one. Fear not. Fear not, I am with you. Fear not, it is I. Fear not, O highly favored one.
That to me is wisdom. I’ve said before that the heart of our faith is the conviction that God will take care of us. This he has proven time and again, in the stories of the Scriptures, in the words of Christ, and in the experiences of our own lives. He will not forsake us. Even death cannot snatch us from his hand.
That’s the truth. That’s sanity in an insane world. That’s wisdom. Amen.
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