“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times . . .”

It is the end of time?

This week’s gospel text is taken from the chapter in Mark which is often referred to as “The Little Apocalypse.” The first part of the chapter has Jesus responding to the disciples’ discussion question about how they will be able to recognize that the end of the age is upon them (13:4). Jesus’ recitation of approaching wars, persecutions, false Messiahs, and extreme hardship offers a chilling picture of the “worst of times.”

But as today’s text unfolds, Jesus reveals God’s mission behind the unfolding of these eschatological events the approach of the Parousia, the return of God’s presence in our midst. This presence goes by the name of “the Son of Man” or “The Second Adam” or “The Human One.” The “Son o…