The Gospel of the Day – 2016.11.13
The Destruction of the Temple Foretold…
When
some were talking about the Temple, remarking how it was adorned with fine
stonework and votive offerings, Jesus said, ‘All these things you are staring
at now – the time will come when not a single stone will be left on
another: everything will be destroyed.’ And they put to him this question:
‘Master,’ they said ‘when will this happen, then, and what sign will there be
that this is about to take place?’
‘Take
care not to be deceived,’ he said ‘because many will come using my name and
saying, “I am he” and, “The time is near at hand.” Refuse to join them. And
when you hear of wars and revolutions, do not be frightened, for this is
something that must happen but the end is not so soon.’ Then he said to them,
‘Nation will fight against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be
great earthquakes and plagues and famines here and there; there will be fearful
sights and great signs from heaven.
‘But before all this
happens, men will seize you and persecute you; they will hand you over to the
synagogues and to imprisonment, and bring you before kings and governors
because of my name – and that will be your opportunity to bear witness.
Keep this carefully in mind: you are not to prepare your defence, because I
myself shall give you an eloquence and a wisdom that none of your opponents
will be able to resist or contradict. You will be betrayed even by parents and
brothers, relations and friends; and some of you will be put to death. You will
be hated by all men on account of my name, but not a hair of your head will be
lost. Your endurance will win you your lives.’
Beware the False Prophet
Jesus
did not utter these words. They were penned by the gospel writers, years after
the temple in Jerusalem had been destroyed, years after the war with Rome that
led to its destruction, and years after they were dispelled from Roman occupied
Palestine.
Jesus
was not a fortuneteller, he did not predict the future. God, the creator of the
universe, God has not preordained anything.
Do
not be deceived.
These
are the best words, the best advice for living in the gospel reading for today.
Do not be deceived. Many will come and claim to be Jesus. Every generation has
such pretenders.
The
gospel writers were pretending to be Jesus when they put words in his mouth
that he never spoke. They thought they were doing good. Most of those who
pretend to be Jesus think they are doing something good, or at the least they
think they are doing something necessary. The gospel writers were no different
in this.
The
other message is simple. Do not be afraid.
The
world will continue to be a violent, and an unsafe place. We live in a hard and
dangerous world. Have hope.
If
you dedicate your life to challenging those in power, you must expect that they
will act against you. If you should find yourself in court simply because you
are working on behalf of the poor, and the marginalized. Do not worry about
your defense. Your actions will speak for themselves.
Speak
truth to power. The rest will sort itself out.
33rd
Sunday in Ordinary Time
