Here in CA, we're being informed by a local pastor of the imminent end of the world:Of course, the sentiment isn't universally shared:And yes, previous determinations of the end of the world have proven to be, well, inaccurate. (The fellow behind this iteration, Christian radio personality Harold Camping, had previously predicted that Christ would return Sept. 6, 1994. Oops.) Myself, I'm fond of the comment attributed, (apocryphally, alas!) to Martin Luther: If I knew that tomorrow was the end of the world, I would plant an apple tree today. And my garden's just planted, with all the anxious anticipation that goes with entrusting seeds to soil and hoping for the best. So not an apple tree, but some tomatoes zucchini, and a few other veggies. Same idea. Any plans for May 22?

Lisa Fullam is professor of moral theology at the Jesuit School of Theology at Berkeley. She is the author of The Virtue of Humility: A Thomistic Apologetic (Edwin Mellen Press).

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