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Sermon Preached at the Church of the Good Shepherd, Granite Springs by the the Reverend Matthew Mead
November 15, 2009
The 24th Sunday after Pentecost
RCL): Daniel 12:1-3; Psalm 16; Hebrews 10:11-14,19-25; Mark 13:1-8


This is the Paschal Candle…. [Baptisms, Easter, Funerals – moved front and center].

Our Gospel passage today is part of a larger portion of Mark’s Gospel which is often interpreted as having to do with the end-times – Jesus’ proclaims in a series of statement that his disciples will be able to recognize that the end is near when they witness wars and earthquakes, all sorts of calamities, and imposters claiming to be Jesus himself. These will be times of anguish and despair out of which God’s people are delivered to eternal life. The disciples wanted to know more about these difficult times so that they could be prepared.

Antichrist and end-of-the-world theology is beyond by comfort zone. To be perfectly honest I think sometimes some Christians obsess over things like the Second Coming of Jesus, figuring out who might be the Anti-Christ, and pinpointing signs that the end is near. Those things just aren’t really on my day to day radar.

I come from a part of the church that focuses worship, Christian education, pastoral care, and social justice, and those things keep me plenty busy as a Christian. Also, I’ve always thought that the world that the disciples lived in and the one we live in is not that different. They didn’t have to look into the future to find war and suffering, man-made and natural catastrophes, disease and sickness, or people leading others away from God.

For me, end-of-the-world situations look a lot less like a science fiction blockbuster and a whole lot more like the person I see every morning in the mirror. I realized when I could hardly see my feet anymore that I had gained 10 pounds since arriving in Granite Springs. I have a family, and as far as I am concerned the end of the world for me and my family might come in the form of a massive coronary at age 45.

So, a few days ago I started to run in the morning. As I ran up Granite Springs Road praying to God that I wouldn’t be hit by one of the lunatics going 60 on a 30 mile and hour road, I realized what a sheltered life I had been living. My family moved up here from the peace and serenity of Times Square – a place where everyone walks without a care across the street because everyone is part of a never-ending crowd. But now I’ve left the big city for suburbs and I’ve come to conclusion that the world really is a dangerous place!

An obvious sign of the end of the world might be the Paschal Candle moved to the center of the church with a coffin in front of it. Life is precious. Life is fragile. Sometimes life is fleeting. Through the love of God in Christ we have been given the free gift of eternal life. I don’t let go of life because I know I have been given eternal life, rather my faith drives me to make the most of this life that God has given me.

One way to think about this is to ask: How do I use my time? My mother has always called the TV the gobble box – it’s a useless box that gobbles up time and health. The TV and the Internet gobble up so much of my free time. One year I gave up news for Lent. Rather than being uninformed for 5 weeks, I realized that I had far more time to offer to other things. Things that mattered.

There are lots of ways to spread the love of God and the good news of the resurrection to those around you – and if anything, the Gospel offers the suggestion that there is no time like the present.

At the end of Mass, pledge cards will be handed in. If you haven’t already, consider making a pledge to support the church. After the service is over there will be a brunch and Guild Fair in the parish hall. As you enjoy the wide array of delicious food which was given by the people sitting with you today, take a stroll to each table and spray over how God might be calling you to give some time to Good Shepherd this year. I’m not a big end of the world kind of guy, but I think sometimes the end of the world can be paraphrased: “there’s no time like the present.” After all, you never know if tomorrow the Paschal Candle could be here tomorrow.

Note for all sermons: The text published here and what was actually preached from the pulpit may vary considerably. Think of this version as the published draft.