Sermon, Proper 28C, Luke 21:5-19

Today's gospel is part of what is called Jesus' apocalyptic discourse. When you hear that word, apocalypse, what do you think of? The end of time? Global warfare? Mass destruction? Four horsemen? People running through the streets shouting, "It's the Apocalypse!!!!"

These images have crept into our view of the end of the world, and "apocalypse" has become defined as some sort of great and terrible event. For those of you who were at the End of the World sessions, you'll recall that apocalypse doesn't mean any of that. Apocalypse simply means a revealing, or an unveiling. The apocalypse, then, is the revealing of God's kingdom; or the unveiling of that which is currently hidden from our eyes.

As we wind down this long, green Season after Pentecost, this is an appropriate thing to be concentrating on. This season is ending. We are looking forward to Christ the King Sunday, and then on into Advent where we look forward and back to the coming of the Messiah. This little apocalypse begins to unveil for us God's kingdom.

But before we get too far gone in apocalyptic thought, I want to look at what started this. What was it that sent Jesus off talking about the end times, wars, famines, plagues and persecutions? What triggered this discourse?

It was the remarks about how beautiful the temple was and all of the gifts inside that were dedicated to God. In short, it was the "Look what we did" attitude of those around Jesus.

Let me rephrase that: it wasn't necessarily their "Look what we did" attitude that set Jesus off. More than likely it was their inability or refusal to look at the larger picture. Did they make the temple beautiful because they wanted to show off their religion? Or did they make their temple beautiful in thanksgiving to God for his place in their lives? Are they honoring God or themselves?

Jesus must have thought the latter because he goes off on this apocalyptic discourse saying, in effect, "These things you think are permanent will all be thrown down in the age to come."

The opening of this passage, with the second hand report of comments about the temple, I found to be particularly relevant to us. Why? Because in two weeks we will dedicate a new lectionary book and Advent wreath. In two weeks, Christ Church will officially be 111 years old. Christ Church is also getting a new paint job, thanks to a generous donation. And St. Paul's is working towards new carpet and an interior paint job.

As I looked forward to the service in two weeks and to the structural improvements of these parishes, I couldn't help but feel a little proud of what was going on. And then I read the gospel for today. "As for these things you see, all will be thrown down." Oops.

Why do we do this? Why do we spend money on paint, carpet, fancy books, expensive wreaths and other fine things? Why not just meet in someone's house and, as Judas said, donate all that money to the poor? We do it because we are apocalyptic people.

Let me explain.

The kingdom of God is being revealed and unveiled through us. It is being revealed by our presence here. Through our actions -- participation in the food bank, Lenten breakfasts, Holy Week activities, Advent programs, hosting Habitat bicyclists, and other things (including the first two items of our mission statement -- Invite and Include) -- through our actions we are revealing the kingdom of God. And as we grow, as we invite and include, as we reach out, the Ruby Valley will come to see God's presence revealed through us.

One of the things we do well is worship. Our liturgy is participatory. It is a place where we can be communally alone. It is reverent and holy. As those of us who are long-time Episcopalians know, and new people find out, it is deeply meaningful. And at the climax of the service we participate in that foretaste of the heavenly banquet that we call communion.

The fancy books, wreaths, paint, carpet, candles and everything else, all of that is our attempt to help unveil the kingdom of God. That kingdom is more wondrous and beautiful than anything we can imagine. But we try. And all of our things, although destined to be thrown down, are our attempt to unveil that beautiful holiness.

While we are revealing and unveiling God's kingdom, we are also doing something else, sometimes consciously and sometimes unconsciously: we are testifying to these things. We are a witness to the world on God's behalf. That witness may get us into trouble at times, but we aren't to worry. A daily cross comes to mind. Nobody said this would be easy; but Jesus did say he would be with us.

Wars, rumors of wars, natural disasters and great portents are all part of the equation. Remember, people will try to equate these things with the end times. But we are not to follow. We are to witness for God. We are to reveal God's kingdom through our actions and through our invitation. And we are to unveil God's kingdom by including people in our worship.

Our buildings will eventually be thrown down. But that's not for us to know when. What is for us to know is that we have a part in revealing God's kingdom to the world and unveiling the beauty of it all right here, right now.

Welcome to the Apocalypse.