The end of all things is at hand.
Therefore be serious and sober-minded
so that you will be able to pray.
Above all, let your love for one another be intense,
because love covers a multitude of sins.
Be hospitable to one another without complaining.
"The end of all things" can refer to chronological time, like December 31 is the end of the year; or it can refer to meaning and purpose, like "To what end do you do this? Where is this going?"
Saint Peter's urgent warning, "The end of all things is at hand" probably doesn't mean we should cash out our bank accounts, sell our homes and property, donate everything to some worthy cause, and sit outside waiting for "the end of the world." Christians have sometimes done just that, only to be disappointed when nothing extraordinary happened.
But the end is near in the clear sense that we should take nothing for granted. Everything matters; nothing that is done can be undone. The Apostle urged us to be "serious and sober-minded," even in the face of wits, comediennes, and fools. They mock our efforts to live responsibly, and ignore the reality of all ends, including "death, judgment, heaven, and hell." They are often blindsided by the inevitable.
Pope Saint Paul VI reminded the world of the end of sexuality. It is neither entertainment nor a sport; it is not relaxation or stimulation; it is not necessary for any individual but is needed for human reproduction. It is not an end but a means to an end; nor is the abuse of sexuality justified by an end.
The Saint knew that flagrantly violating the holiness of sexuality must lead to profound unhappiness and endless disruption -- for individuals as well as entire societies. His encyclical Humanae Vitae was followed by the United States Supreme Court tragic decision to remove all restrictions on abortion in the United States. Perhaps SCOTUS interpretted the popular rejection of the Holy Father's moral teaching as a go-ahead to release the bloodshed upon the nation. Many other abominations have followed, including gay marriage, polygamy, in vitro fertilization, surrogate mothers, fatherless orphans, and single parenting. Can anyone be surprised by mass shootings and the epidemic of suicide?
The Catholic Church has long recognized the Natural Law which governs all human behavior, regardless of social norms, expectations, and culture. It is reasonable and sane, although it may be apparent only to those willing to see the truth.
The arrogant feel affronted by its restrictions on their misbegotten freedom. When enough of them complain loudly enough, they may get what they want even from a Supreme Court, but they will certainly not be satisfied with the consequences of their sin.
Millions of Catholics, Christians, Jews, and nones, along with many priests and some bishops, objected loudly to Pope Paul's Humanae Vitae. Many husbands had vasectomies; many women had tubal ligation; many children have no siblings, no aunts or uncles, no cousins, no nieces or nephews. Many homes have no children but innumberable dogs and cats -- with health and life insurance. Many people die alone and ungrieved. Many nations are watching helplessly as their populations plummet. The trend has been called irreversible.
Ideas have consequences, decisions have ends. We do well to reread Humanae Vitae and listen to the Church as we form our attitudes, consider our ideas, make our decisions, and determine our ends.
