Apocalyptic Hope
First Reading: Isaiah 64:1-9
Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19
Second Reading: I Corinthians 1:3-9
Gospel Reading: Mark 13:24-37
*Music for Christopher Grundy’s song “We have Come” can be found on his website.
If you follow the liturgical calendar, the recent readings often speak of apocalyptic times. I've always wondered how these apocalyptic passages relate to the season of Advent. Yet, given all that is happening in the world, I believe we need a little (or a lot) of apocalyptic hope right now. We need the apocalyptic hope of Advent to shake us from whatever malaise or fear grips our hearts and the Church.
What I find challenging about apocalyptic hope is the idea of the apocalypse itself. Nevertheless, in life and faith, there are moments when periods of destruction and shedding of past things are necessary for newness to emerge. We witness this in forest fires, where new growth springs from seeds dropped. While I'm not an economist, we also see this in our economic cycles through creative destruction.
However, I understand that apocalyptic hope might not be what everyone is expecting this Advent season. With all the trials and difficulties that clergy and churches face, "resilience" becomes a recurring theme in every conversation. So, you might ask, "How can we gather enough strength to embrace the newness that comes with the arrival of apocalyptic hope? What else could we possibly let go of for such a risky sounding Advent hope?"
There's no shame in admitting a lack of capacity for apocalyptic hope. But there's a call to resist the temptation of reverting to old ways of doing things. Apocalyptic hope demands a continuous evaluation and purging of the old, urging us to live into the newness of God's vision for our collective lives. If we don’t, we run the risk of turning inward, seeking comfort and familiarity within ourselves, our faith, and our church. However, this wouldn’t align with God's vision for the new thing that will emerge among us.
I believe that the Church, that we, must listen to the call and embrace apocalyptic hope that leads to a renewed sense of relational and missional identity. Perhaps living in apocalyptic hope will help shed our fear of budgets, buildings, and attendance. I can say that apocalyptic hope reframed the priorities of my time as a pastor.
For instance, what if apocalyptic hope redirected our sense of mission and outreach? Instead of solely focusing on recruiting members for stewardship or committees, what if we centered our ministry on cultivating relationships? Personally, I firmly believe that amid all the division and strife, the Spirit of this Advent season is urging us to concentrate on nurturing relationships, with everything else falling into place.
Apocalyptic hope might sound intimidating, yet if we listen, there is an opportunity for us to shed and cast off all that which is not life-giving. Apocalyptic hope might be the message we need to hear this Advent season as we stand on the verge of the new thing God is orchestrating among us. So let's listen with open hearts and open minds to where the apocalyptic hope of Advent is guiding us.
Questions for Reflection:
How does the idea of upheaval and renewal align with the Advent season’s themes of anticipation and preparation? Can you identify moments in your life where embracing change led to unexpected renewal or growth?
How do you think resilience can coexist with the willingness to embrace the newness that comes with apocalyptic hope during Advent? Can you share examples or strategies for balancing the need for resilience with a readiness for transformative change in personal or communal contexts?
The author suggests reorienting the focus of ministry from traditional structures like stewardship and committees towards building relationships. How might this shift in emphasis impact the fabric of a community or congregation during the Advent season? Can you reflect on specific ways in which prioritizing relationships over institutional concerns might lead to a more vibrant and authentic expression of faith and community?