God of heaven will set up a kingdom … and it shall stand forever. During the last week of the Church’s year the attention shifts to endings. Where is all of this leading? Particularly in times of great distress we want to peek into the future to find out how things turn out. Even scientists debate whether the future of the universe is a continually outward expansion with stars and planets and galaxies getting farther and farther apart or will it be a “big crunch,” a reverse of the big bang where all matter comes back together. Jesus’ particular take is to caution us not to fret about it. ‘When you hear of wars and insurrections, do not be terrified; it will not immediately be the end.” It is living each day faithfully that prepares us for whatever the end will look like. That, of course, applies not just to cosmic endings but also to our own end at the moment of death. It is daily fidelity that equips us for a life of eternity.
