Of Zombies and Apocalypses

Of Zombies and Apocalypses
Homily for November 15, 2015    33rd Sunday of Ordinary Time - B
by Dcn. Bob Bonomi

I remember one of the first times I was in downtown Dallas I heard a street preacher shouting out how the “end of the world was near” and to repent.  Looking back, I’ve come to realize that the “repenting” part was pretty good advice, but the part about the end of the world – eh, maybe not so good.  Maybe.

Based on what we see in our movies, it does appear that we have a fascination with the end of the world, and we have created all sorts of apocalyptic visions of it – world destruction by earthquakes, floods or asteroids; nuclear destruction; epidemic or pandemic disease outbreaks; or my favorite – zombie invasions – well, you get the picture.  It’s no wonder that we are one of the most neurotic generations to have ever come along. Almost all of the scenarios are the result of our own actions or inactions and few, with the exception of the “Left Behind” series, even mention God.

And the reality of the horrendous events unfolding in our world today doesn’t give us much confidence, does it?  It seems like a pretty hopeless world, bent on its own destruction.  Is the world the worst it has ever been?  Is it the End Times?   Probably not.

Did you know that, starting about the time of the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem, there has been dozens of different predictions of the impending end of the world. We average a new prediction on the average of every ten to fifteen years.  One list I saw listed almost 175 different predictions, based on things like the alignment of the planets, global conflicts, natural disasters, and plagues. They included predictions based on “secret” numbers in the Bible and prominent calendar dates.  The turn of a century is popular, especially if it is also the end of a millennium. Remember the Year 2000 doomsday scenarios? Same thing occurred at the end of the first millennium, although they couldn’t blame it on computers.  Almost all of these dire predictions throughout history have one thing in common, though, except for the very latest portents of doom.  All of those who predicted them are DEAD. They’ve all met their personal “end of the world”.

Jesus makes it clear.  "But of that day or hour, NO ONE knows, neither the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father."  You cannot predict the Second Coming of Jesus.

So why do we place such an emphasis on these apocalyptic scriptures at this time of year?  We’re nearing the end of the liturgical calendar, and in two short weeks we will begin a new church year with Advent. The first Sunday of Advent we’ll hear the same theme again – this time from St. Luke. Why?

Because these passages and others like them throughout the Old and New Testaments remind us that we will not, nor should not, expect an idyllic world here.  There will be wars and famine and natural disasters and evils brought about through the action of men.  And we will face challenges to our health and well-being and to the health and welfare of those we know and love.  But, more importantly, they remind us to NOT GIVE UP HOPE in the face of what seems to be the end of the world.  God IS with us.

I am constantly reminded of that whenever a person close to me or to someone I know passes away.  Earlier this week a young mother and teacher that I knew passed away from a brain tumor.  It was discovered a little over 8 weeks ago when she started suffering from headaches that her normal medicine didn’t help.  Her funeral was yesterday.

Yet, even with her passing there were signs of God’s presence and love.  The community outpouring of love for the family was inspiring.  The tenderness of her co-workers towards her children and students to help them through their time of grief was amazing.  And God sent a visible sign - a rainbow of colors in the sky, God’s reminder of His covenant of love for us - at a moment when it was needed the most.

Let’s face it. Life can be tough.  But we do not have to wait until the end of the world to experience the “Son of Man coming in the clouds with great power and glory.”  St. Stephen had the vision of Jesus coming for him as he was being martyred.  We hear stories of those who see visions of our Blessed Mother Mary or of guardian angels coming for them as they come to the end of their life.  And I’ve seen the smile on the face of those who are at peace when they meet Jesus.

God IS with us, here and now.  We share His peace with each other at Mass just before we share in His Body and Blood.  Let us take His peace, His Holy Presence, with us as we leave today and do not let the terrors of the night and of the world scare us.  Let us be prepared.  Let us have Faith and trust in the Love of Christ for us.  And when our end time comes for us, let us be ready to experience the Glory of God.