the end of the world?

OK, I just have to rant a little bit tonight. I was enjoying the lovely spring day here today, spending the afternoon with a friend, and we got to talking about all the 2012 "end of the world" stuff that's going around lately. Yes, "going around." Like a disease. Because I swear, it is a disease.

First of all, anyone who claims to be Christian, and to know when the world will end, should remind themselves of the words of Christ in the Gospel: "... of that day and hour, no one knows." (Mt. 24:36) I don't understand how that doesn't clear this little issue up for everyone.

So what if the Mayan calendar ended in 2012? So what if there are preachers who continue to "prophesy" the date when this grand world will come to an end? So what?!?!?!!!! Christ has told us that no one knows when the day will come.

And furthermore, why should it scare us? If you are a person of faith, you know that you should be ready to be called to eternity at any time. If we strive for that, what have we to fear?

When the world will end is irrelevant. If God decides to bring the curtain down, there is nothing we can do to stop it - nor should we try! So of course, we should be prepared, but that's no different than the days before all this apocalyptic stuff started popping up everywhere. We should always be ready, and as St. Padre Pio said, "Pray, hope, and don't worry." Worrying over the end of the world is like worrying over death. It's a waste of life.

+Peace, and all good, friends! Indeed, "Pray, hope, and don't worry!"