In Those Days...

But in those days, after that suffering,

the sun will be darkened,

and the moon will not give its light,

and the stars will be falling from heaven,

and the powers in the heavens will be shaken.

(From Mark 13:24-37)

But in those days….

On November 25, 2023, three 20-year-old students of Palestinian descent were visiting family and relatives for Thanksgiving break wearing keffiyehs showing solidarity with Palestine during the war in Gaza

And then darkness:
    The sun will be darkened,

    and the moon will not give its light."

The students were shot and injured near the University of Vermont in Burlington.

A suspect was arrested the following day and the Burlington Police Chief, after arresting a suspect, said the shooting was being investigated as a possible hate crime.

This isn’t the Burlington, Vermont I know.

After spending 20 years pastoring 3 churches in the Burlington vicinity, raising money for homeless shelters, and providing food and blankets for migrants, I have a very different concept of Burlington.

There are over 40 languages represented among Burlington students and their families; nearly one in five kids is an English learner.

Among the languages spoken at home are, Nepali, Somali, Maay Maay, Bosnian, Swahili.

The Burlington I know is the home of Ben & Jerry’s, Patrick Leahy, Bernie Sanders, Phish, and the Flynn Center for the Performing Arts,

Burlington, however, is not paradise.

It is a place where one can catch a glimpse of what City of God may look like.

For example: the school district has a multilingual program allowing students to speak English and their native language at home.

Jesus describing a darkened sun, falling stars, shaking heavens is a sign of hope.

All one needs to do is wait, watch, and work mentally, physically, and spiritually. without adequate rest or sleep.

This our Christian calling: keep awake, watch for the signs, and work to build God’s kingdom.

Jesus insists: Keep awake.”

Think about it: Eclipse, earthquake, hurricanes. Feels like the end. How are you called to be a “woke” witness?