As we approach the end of another Church Year, the readings at Mass have us focus on the “end times.” This weekend both the Prophet Daniel and the Gospel reading from Mark seem a bit frightening, speaking of a time to come “unsurpassed in distress,” and of days of tribulation when “the sun will be darkened, the moon will not give its light, and the stars will be falling from the sky.” What are we to make of these passages, especially in the light of all the tribulation seeming to affect our nation and world: with recent mass shootings and war, hurricanes, tornados, earthquakes, tsunamis and the like? Are the end times near? It certainly might seem that way. But the sad reality is that nothing we are experiencing now is very new. Mass killings, war and natural disasters of all kinds occurred during the time of Jesus and have continued to happen ever since. These, in and of themselves, are not necessarily signs of the end. We don’t know when the end of time will come. Jesus assures us of that when he says, “But of that day or hour, no one knows, neither the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.” But that doesn’t give us permission to be complacent or get too comfortable. We cannot do much about a future we can’t know, but we do hold power in the present to effect change for the better in our families, our communities and our world. As we prepare to enter a new Church Year, perhaps we might make a “New Year’s resolution” to be kinder, more respectful of others each day; to listen more attentively, and pause to consider our own actions and words before we speak and act; to stand up in the face of injustice and do what we can in caring for the poor, downtrodden, neglected and oppressed; and make an effort to mend those things that divide us, working toward greater unity and peace in all of our relationships. We may not change the whole world, but maybe our own little corner of that world will reflect more beautifully the values of Christ. Then perhaps the thought of the end times won’t be quite as “scary” for us, knowing that we tried our best in living out our Catholic Christian faith, and to be an example and force of goodness in our world.