Our Scripture for Sunday is known as “apocalyptic literature,” which means it deals with the end of things. Let’s address the elephant in the room; honestly, it’s not the most comforting passage.

Give me the story of the Prodigal Son, or the birth of Christ; both are also found in the Gospel of Luke. They are comforting and orienting. This passage, on the other hand, is about as disorientating and uncomfortable as they come.

How can we make sense of these rather frightening words of Jesus? At this writing, I’m not actually sure; the sermon is yet in the larval stage.

I do notice that he tells us that in the midst of all these “signs” to “stand up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.”

As a big fan of redemption, that, at least, is hopeful.

Anyone who watches the news knows that “distress among the nations, confusion, the roar of the sea (hurricanes), fear and foreboding,” are rampant in the world, and let’s face it, in our own country.

How many of us feel compelled to pray, “Maranatha!,” which means “Lord, come quickly!”