Then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory

"But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its desolation is near. Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains, let those who are in the midst of her depart, and let not those who are in the country enter her. For these are the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled. But woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days! For there will be great distress in the land and wrath upon this people. And they will fall by the edge of the sword, and be led away captive into all nations. And Jerusalem will be trampled by Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.

"And there will be signs in the sun, in the moon, and in the stars, and on the earth distress of nations, with perplexity, the sea and the waves roaring; men's heart's failing them from fear and the expectation of those things which are coming on the earth, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. Then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near."

- Luke 21:20-28

In yesterday's reading, we read of Jesus' predictions both for the destruction of Jerusalem (and the temple) and of the end of the age. He warned against following false prophets, and told of wars and great calamities such as earthquakes and famines. But before that, He said, would come betrayal and persecution -- all of which will become an occasion for testimony, for witnessing. They are not to think ahead what to say, for in that moment He will give them wisdom and speech. Today, He continues this discussion. See By your patience possess your souls.

"But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its desolation is near. Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains, let those who are in the midst of her depart, and let not those who are in the country enter her. For these are the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled. But woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days! For there will be great distress in the land and wrath upon this people. And they will fall by the edge of the sword, and be led away captive into all nations. And Jerusalem will be trampled by Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled." This is such a vivid and fearful description! Even now, 2000 (or so) years later on, when we know all of history, it is shocking and frightening to think about. It is a prediction of the siege and capture of Jerusalem which was to happen in A.D. 70 by Titus, the son of the Emperor Vespasian. The temple was completely destroyed, as it was believed that gold was hidden between its stones. We note the phrase, "until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled" and can only wonder what this truly means.

"And there will be signs in the sun, in the moon, and in the stars, and on the earth distress of nations, with perplexity, the sea and the waves roaring; men's heart's failing them from fear and the expectation of those things which are coming on the earth, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. Then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near." As in yesterday's reading, the discussion of the destruction of the temple and the siege of Jerusalem is combined with a discussion of the end of the age. The two events are truly linked in spiritual terms, because the coming of the Messiah is linked to both in a cosmic sense. The temple is destroyed, but Church becomes the Body of Christ, shaped by the anointing of the Spirit. And the age initiated is the time of preparation for Judgment, the time of witnessing. But here in these verses we read of the end of the age. Perhaps there were many who felt, because of this prediction, that the end of the age was imminent in the early beginnings of the Church. When it did not happen, true to the warnings, false prophets did appear. But St. Peter was not fooled, as he wrote (referring to Psalm 90:4): "But do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a roar, and the heavenly bodies will be burned up and dissolved, and the earth and the works that are done on it will be exposed." My study bible quotes here from The Venerable Bede: "It is clear to all who love His coming that the mind must be controlled rather moderately in this conjecture. We must surmise neither that the aforesaid day of the Lord is near and will come quite quickly, nor again that it is coming too slowly. But we should be diligent in seeing to this alone: that whether it comes sooner or later, it may find us ready when it does come." And this is truly the point, isn't it? That we are to live day by day with what is at hand for us to be about, in "Our Father's business." And in this is our preparation, that which is before us to do, in the here and now.

We also remember Peter's understanding and insightful words: that the timing of such events ultimately has to do with the love and the mercy of God. Time is a gift to us to learn, to grow, to change what we need to change, to come to repentance in the love of God and grow in that likeness. So, how do we take Jesus' words to heart? We live in the here and now, practicing as best we can the mindfulness of our faith and that we are called to be "like Him." It is this that prepares us for "that day" and nothing else. So, what is before us right now? How do you grow in His likeness today, and commit to that awareness each day, each hour, now? Jesus' power and glory are with us even now through the grace of the Spirit, and He calls us to His teachings; it's as close as your breath, your heart.