background - Josephus records in his Jewish Wars an
interesting anecdote: a prophetic figure went around Jerusalem predicting the city’s
destruction for several years prior to the outbreak of the revolt against Rome.
Understandably, the religious authorities sought to silence him. But the Roman governor
simply wrote him off as a harmless lunatic. [1]
unbelievable? - From our perspective on the timeline it is easy to
forget how absolutely unbelievable a prediction about the destruction of the Temple would
have sounded to those living at the time of Jesus. The massive stones that form the still
standing lower Wailing Wall all provide a visual of the sheer immensity and awe-inspiring
architecture. Jesus reminds us at least this much: no matter how impregnable, failsafe, or
indestructible our greatest buildings or institutions are, they are not beyond
destruction. Ground zero fearfully reminds us of our vulnerability.
athanasius [fl. 325-373 ] - The end of all things is concealed
from us. For in the end of all is the end of each and in the end of each is the end of
all. Because this time is uncertain . . . we may advance day by day as if summoned . . .
for who, if they knew the day of the end, would not disregard the interval? But if
ignorant, would they not be more ready day by day? It was on this account that the Savior
sad: "Watch, for you do not know when the time will come."
If you knew that the world was
going to end in six days how would you live differently?
Do you agree with Athanasius’ statement that if we really knew the precise time of
the End-ours or the world’s-we would disregard the interval? Explain.
Why do you think Jesus began this discussion about the end of the age with his remarks
that the Temple would end up in a heap of rubble?
Please see the homily posted for this
week based on Mark 13.
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[1] The New Interpreter’s Bible VIII (Nashville: Abingdon Press, 1995), page
685.
[2] Ancient Christian Commentary on Scripture II (InterVarsity Press, 1998),
page 195.
