Nov 18, 2001

Today’s Gospel is about the destruction of Jerusalem and the Middle East conflict fit for the diplomats and politicians to deal with. This theme is on their table every day. This is probably the most difficult political question nowadays. The conflict in that area seems to have connections to a number of conflicts in the world. Maybe this particular conflict does play the background of the terror attack and the Afghanistan war? Some western leaders attempt to separate those conflicts as others combine them. We just have to hope and pray for a peaceful solution. That is our obligation.

Our text for today pictures something different for the future. We might ask if God has a B-plan? Is there a hidden agenda? Or even more does God have separate plans for Israel and the rest of the world? Some theologians harbor such ideas. I can’t follow. I think the New Testament does not.

The reading for today is difficult for modern people to understand. That is because of the Jewish background of the lesson. Today I can’t look very much into the history and the theological interpretation of the details. But I would enjoy to underline the main message of Jesus.

There is a conception of the day of the Lord to come. That day is dark and not light. The Jews regarded time as being two ages, the present age, which is altogether bad and evil, and the age to come, which is the golden age of God with goodness and peace. But before the golden age comes there would be the day of the Lord, which would be a terrible war against evil.

Jesus presents some prophecies of the destruction of the Temple and of the city of Jerusalem.

There is warning of persecution to come.

There are warnings of the dangers of the last days.

There are warnings of the Second Coming of Christ.

There are warnings of the necessity to be on the watch.

Jesus is asked three questions about his prophecy.

When will the temple be thrown down?

What will be the sign of your coming?

And, what will be the sign of the end of the age?

The questions are answered in reverse order.

Jesus does not tell his disciples the answer to the first question they asked about the destruction of Jerusalem. But history answers that question for us by its report of what did happen A.D.70.

Jesus sketches a picture familiar to readers of the OT prophets. The future will be marked by tension, disasters, wars, growing wickedness, and persecution of his followers. But these common disasters are only a foreshadowing of the day of the Lord.

These terrible things have certainly been the case up to our time. But the distress is increasing as the time goes by. (Matt 24:21) Jesus is talking about the coming of the Son of Man but he does not identify any special sign to mark his coming, except to note that it will be after the great distress. (Matt 24:29)

We might approach this message one or the other way. We might overlook and forget or we might focus it as the most important part of Christianity. Both are foolish. Together with the Gospel of Jesus’ birth, his death and his resurrection and ascension the Church remain firm in confessing his coming again to judge the living and death. That will be the day of the Lord. For the Church the Second Coming of Christ is not like a terrible terror attack, but a day of joy and a day of resurrection to eternal life. That day God’s creation dream is going to be fulfilled. Paradise will be restored on the new earth.

Because of his prophecy Jesus encourages us to be on alert. Be on watch. If we live with the prospect of the consummation of the coming of Christ and if the times are known only to God, there is a necessity ever to be ready.

Jesus said: "Look at the fig tree, as soon as leaves sprout you can know that summer is already near. So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that the kingdom of God is near". (Luke 21:29-)

Jesus encouraged his disciples: "Do not let your hearts be troubled, Believe in God, believe also in me." John 14:1.

I happened to listen to a radio interview from New York the other day. A young female aid helper said: "I am not afraid of the future; I know my life is in His hands."

Christian faith and hope offer peace and safety and encourage helping in times of trouble and suffering. We are not called to withdraw from this world but to take responsibility and get involved. We are called to worship and to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ throughout the entire world. And as the time goes by the Church prays: "deliver us from evil. For yours is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever and ever."

Amen.

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