Advent is Apocalyptic, by Carl E. Olson

Advent is apocalyptic.

Perhaps you’ve never thought of it in that way. But the readings for this first Sunday of Advent are revealing. I say “revealing” because the word “apocalypse”, from the Greek word apokalupsis, means “to reveal” or “to unveil”. Unfortunately, it has become primarily associated with destruction and violence. But even while that understanding is somewhat accurate, it only hits part of the target.

Today’s Gospel reading, from Matthew 24, is one of three “little apocalypses”, the other two being found in Mark 13 and Luke 21. These discourses by Jesus about coming events are complex and difficult—in part because they use methods of Old Testament prophecy in speaking of the future, and in part because they refer to both the destruction of the Temple (A.D. 70) and the return of Christ at the end of time. ….

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