Now when these things begin to take place, look up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near (Luke 21:28).
The concept of the end of the world is alien to Asian Pacific minds which also believe in an afterlife. When the idea is mixed with the concept of justice, heaven and hell are born. Heaven is an extremely happy world 極樂世界 while hell is littered with tortures of all imaginable kind. This much Christianity shares with Eastern folk religions. It parts company with the Asian counterparts when Christianity believes in an end of this known world. The Bible invents an apocalyptic language to describe the novel situation which is something totally beyond the present-world experience. Just imagine, how would you describe the taste of chocolate if you have never eaten any chocolate before? Or the activities of silicon based life forms in another planet in another solar system? Here is how Luke describes it.
And there will be signs in sun and moon and stars, and upon the earth distress of nations in perplexity at the roaring of the sea and the waves,
men fainting with fear and with foreboding of what is coming on the world; for the powers of the heavens will be shaken (Luke 21:25-26).
We know tsunami, but what does "the powers of the heavens will be shaken" mean?
So nowadays, movie makers produce all sorts of doomsday films, such as asteroids hitting our earth, to capture the idea. However, this is modern astronomy which was unknown to authors of the Bible. They only knew astrology. Therefore, those heavenly signs described in the apocalyptic writings in the Bible should be interpreted astrologically instead of astronomically. When scientists try to identify the Star of Bethlehem to fix the year in which Jesus was born, most likely they will miss it if they apply Newtonian physics to calculate the paths of the stars. Once again, consult astrology almanacs would be a better approach.
Today is the beginning of the Advent Season, the beginning of a new liturgical cycle. The Church marks out the whole year for us to remember of our redemption history: the Incarnation of the Son of God, his earthly ministry, passion, resurrection, ascension, the descent of the Holy Spirit and the ministry of the Church etc. It is now the season of Advent, a preparation for the coming of Christ. Christ has come and will return again to fulfill our redemption. In his homily this morning, Deacon Karl Tsang invited us to meditate on our redemption. What are we supposed to become? There are many obstacles for us to fully realize our potentials. Many of us whose lives have been cut short to attain their fullness, whose ambitions have been frustrated and whose relations have never been satisfying etc. We look forward to their fulfillment when Christ comes the second time to elevate us to our fullness.
Dear Lord, come quickly to quench our thirst. Amen.
And there will be signs in sun and moon and stars, and upon the earth distress of nations in perplexity at the roaring of the sea and the waves,
men fainting with fear and with foreboding of what is coming on the world; for the powers of the heavens will be shaken (Luke 21:25-26).
We know tsunami, but what does "the powers of the heavens will be shaken" mean?
So nowadays, movie makers produce all sorts of doomsday films, such as asteroids hitting our earth, to capture the idea. However, this is modern astronomy which was unknown to authors of the Bible. They only knew astrology. Therefore, those heavenly signs described in the apocalyptic writings in the Bible should be interpreted astrologically instead of astronomically. When scientists try to identify the Star of Bethlehem to fix the year in which Jesus was born, most likely they will miss it if they apply Newtonian physics to calculate the paths of the stars. Once again, consult astrology almanacs would be a better approach.
Today is the beginning of the Advent Season, the beginning of a new liturgical cycle. The Church marks out the whole year for us to remember of our redemption history: the Incarnation of the Son of God, his earthly ministry, passion, resurrection, ascension, the descent of the Holy Spirit and the ministry of the Church etc. It is now the season of Advent, a preparation for the coming of Christ. Christ has come and will return again to fulfill our redemption. In his homily this morning, Deacon Karl Tsang invited us to meditate on our redemption. What are we supposed to become? There are many obstacles for us to fully realize our potentials. Many of us whose lives have been cut short to attain their fullness, whose ambitions have been frustrated and whose relations have never been satisfying etc. We look forward to their fulfillment when Christ comes the second time to elevate us to our fullness.
Dear Lord, come quickly to quench our thirst. Amen.
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