If you had known, even you, especially in this your day, the things that make for your peace!

 

 Now as He drew near, He saw the city and wept over it, saying, "If you had known, even you, especially in this your day, the things that make for your peace!  But now they are hidden from your eyes.  For days will come upon you when your enemies will build an embankment around you, surround you and close you in on every side, and level you, and your children within you, to the ground; and they will not leave in you one stone upon another, because you did not know the time of your visitation."  

 

Then He went into the temple and began to drive out those who bought and sold in it, saying to them, "It is written, 'My house is a house of prayer,' but you have made it a 'den of thieves.'"  And He was teaching daily in the temple.   But the chief priests, the scribes, and the leaders of the people sought to destroy Him, and were unable to do anything; for all the people were very attentive to hear Him.

 

- Luke 19:41–48 

 

Yesterday we read that, after giving a parable to the disciples to prepare them for what will happen in Jerusalem, and their lives as apostles after His Passion, Jesus went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem.  And it came to pass, when He drew near to Bethphage and Bethany, at the mountain called Olivet, that He sent two of His disciples, saying, "Go into the village opposite you, where as you enter you will find a colt tied, on which no one has ever sat.  Loose it and bring it here.  And if anyone asks you, 'Why are you loosing it?' thus you shall say to him, 'Because the Lord has need of it.'"  So those who were sent went their way and found it just as he had said to them.  But as they were loosing the colt, the owners of it said to them, "Why are you loosing the colt?"  And they said, "The Lord has need of him."  Then they brought him to Jesus.  And they threw their own clothes on the colt, and they set Jesus on him.  And as He went, many spread their clothes on the road.  Then, as He was now drawing near the descent of the Mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works they had seen, saying: "'Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the LORD!' Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!"  And some of the Pharisees called to Him from the crowd, "Teacher, rebuke Your disciples."  But He answered and said to them, "I tell you that if these should keep silent, the stones  would immediately cry out."  

 

  Now as He drew near, He saw the city and wept over it, saying, "If you had known, even you, especially in this your day, the things that make for your peace!  But now they are hidden from your eyes."  My study Bible says that Jerusalem means "foundation of peace."  Only faith in Christ, it says, brings true peace, which is a truth hidden from a city that will soon rebel against its Savior.  Peace here should not be confused with "false peace," which my study Bible calls a shallow harmony resulting from ignoring issues of truth.  Genuine peace, it says, is reconciliation to God through faith in Christ and surrender to truth.  Genuine peace has division as a byproduct, because not everyone wants truth.  Moreover, in the fallen world, divisions become necessary for truth to be manifest (see Luke 12:51; 1 Corinthians 11:18-19).

 

"For days will come upon you when your enemies will build an embankment around you, surround you and close you in on every side, and level you, and your children within you, to the ground; and they will not leave in you one stone upon another, because you did not know the time of your visitation."  Jesus foretells the destruction of Jerusalem which would occur in AD 70.  My study Bible adds that this also describes the spiritual end of every person who lacks faith.

 

 Then He went into the temple and began to drive out those who bought and sold in it, saying to them, "It is written, 'My house is a house of prayer,' but you have made it a 'den of thieves.'"  And He was teaching daily in the temple.   But the chief priests, the scribes, and the leaders of the people sought to destroy Him, and were unable to do anything; for all the people were very attentive to hear Him.  Those who bought and sold in the temple were trading in live animals to be used for sacrifices.   My study Bible says that the cleansing of the temple also points to the necessity that the Church be kept free from earthly pursuits.  As each person is considered a temple of God (1 Corinthians 3:16; 6:19), it's also a sign for us to cleanse our hearts and minds of earthly matters.  Jesus quotes from Isaiah 56:7, Jeremiah 7:11.  Note how despite Christ's open conflict with the religious leaders, the people were very attentive to hear Him.

 

 The cleansing of the temple is an important lesson to us all, my study Bible says, because we are each a temple ourselves.  This places an emphasis on our knowing choices; that is, on our own initiative to guard ourselves and our hearts for what is good, and to cast away what is not good.  See, for example, Matthew 5:29, Jesus' teaching from the Sermon on the Mount:  "If your right eye causes you to sin, pluck it out and cast it from you; for it is more profitable for you that one of your members perish, than for your whole body to be cast into hell."  Of course the "right eye" in this statement is a metaphor for something precious yet causing ailment -- perhaps a way we look or see, a covetousness that causes sin.  But Christ's cleansing of the temple, in today's reading, is also coupled with His warnings about what is to come in Jerusalem, and imply the consequences of "not knowing what makes for your peace."  That is, the rejection of Christ Himself by the people and the city.  There's an implied connection that the destruction of the city that was to come at the hands of the Romans is linked both to the cleansing of the temple and to the rejection of Jesus as Messiah by the nation.  The devastation to Jerusalem, and indeed, to all the Jewish people, which was to come in the Siege of Jerusalem, encompassed the most extreme levels of catastrophe and destruction.  The temple itself was destroyed to a remarkable extent, so that Christ's description here was absolutely true:  "For days will come upon you when your enemies will build an embankment around you, surround you and close you in on every side, and level you, and your children within you, to the ground; and they will not leave in you one stone upon another, because you did not know the time of your visitation."  So much so, that literally not one stone was left upon another, the Roman soldiers having believed rumors that there was gold between the stones, with a fire so intense it no doubt destroyed whatever gold there was.  Only one retaining wall remains of that splendid second temple as it was left by the building and refurbishing of Herod the Great, considered in its time one of the architectural marvels of the world.  (That wall for many centuries was known as the Wailing Wall, today called the Western Wall, remaining a site of prayer.)  This complete destruction and devastation in mayhem and fire is surely an image of hell -- in that sense reflecting Christ's words teaching us to cast off harmful habits (even those precious to us) so that our "whole body" is not cast into hell (again, see Matthew 5:29, quoted above).  For a devastation like this it must surely have been required that much was rejected, just as much corruption was practiced for a very long time.  In effect, it teaches us about rejecting what grace is on offer, especially when we know better.  It is evidence of the harmful effects of treating a priceless treasure, such as our faith, as if it were worthless.  One wonders if so much of what passes for popular culture might fall into this category today, where human beings considered to be precious and loved creations of God and meant for adoption as God's heirs -- are instead paraded as so much flesh for consumption, exploitation, and self-harm.  One doesn't have to look far from headlines, media, popular apps and websites, or the devastation of homelessness and destruction rooted in drug culture and the slavery of addiction.  Do we know better?  Like the people of Jerusalem, we may be very attentive to hear Christ.  But how do we follow Him in faith?  Let's note again the context of our reading today, coming after yesterday's statement by Christ that if His disciples were not witnessing their faith He is their Messiah, then the very stones would cry out (see yesterday's reading and commentary).  Today He speaks to Jerusalem, lamenting the ferocious fighting that will "level you, and your children within you, to the ground; and they will not leave in you one stone upon another, because you did not know the time of your visitation."  We should all take it as a warning for our own lives, and the world we create with our choices, lest we lose even that which we have.  For the things that make for our peace are found in Him.

 

 

 

For many are called, but few are chosen

 

 And Jesus answered and spoke to them again by parables and said:  "The kingdom of heaven is like a certain king who arranged a marriage for his son, and sent out his servants to call those who were invited to the wedding; and they were not willing to come.  Again, he sent out other servants, saying, 'Tell those who are invited, "See, I have prepared my dinner; my oxen and fatted cattle are killed, and all things are ready.  Come to the wedding."'  But they made light of it and went their ways, one to his own farm, another to his business.  And the rest seized his servants, treated them spitefully, and killed them.  But when the king heard about it, he was furious.  And he sent out his armies, destroyed those murderers, and burned up their city.  Then he said to his servants, 'The wedding is ready, but those who were invited were not worthy.  Therefore go into the highways, and as many as you find, invite to the wedding.'  So those servants went out into the highways and gathered together all whom they found, both bad and good.  And the wedding hall was filled with guests.  But when the king came in to see the guests, he saw a man there who did not have on a wedding garment.  So he said to him, 'Friend, how did you come in here without a wedding garment?'  And he was speechless.  Then the king said to the servants, 'Bind him hand and foot, take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.'  For many are called, but few are chosen."

 

- Matthew 22:1-14 

 

In yesterday's reading, Jesus taught this parable in the temple:  "Hear another parable:  There was a certain landowner who planted a vineyard and set a hedge around it, dug a winepress in it and built a tower.  And he leased it to vinedressers and went into a far country.  Now when vintage-time drew near, he sent his servants to the vinedressers, that they might receive its fruit.  And the vinedressers took his servants, beat one, killed one, and stoned another.  Again he sent other servants, more than the first, and they did likewise to them.  Then last of all he sent his son to them, saying, 'They will respect my son.'  But when the vinedressers saw the son, they said among themselves, 'This is the heir.  Come, let us kill him and seize his inheritance.'  So they took him and cast him out of the vineyard and killed him.  Therefore, when the owner of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those vinedressers?"  They said to Him, "He will destroy those wicked men miserably, and lease his vineyard to other vinedressers who will render to him the fruits in their seasons."  Jesus said to them, "Have you never read in the Scriptures:  'The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone.  This was the LORD's doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes'?  Therefore I say to you, the kingdom of God will be taken from you and given to a nation bearing the fruits of it.  And whoever falls on this stone will be broken; but on whomever it falls, it will grind him to powder."  Now when the chief priests and Pharisees heard His parables, they perceived that He was speaking of them.  But when they sought to lay hands on Him, they feared the multitudes, because they took Him for a prophet.

 

 And Jesus answered and spoke to them again by parables and said:  "The kingdom of heaven is like a certain king who arranged a marriage for his son, and sent out his servants to call those who were invited to the wedding; and they were not willing to come."  In today's parable, given again in response to the religious leaders who have questioned His authority in the temple, this parable also proclaims the transfer of the Kingdom from the faithless in Israel to the Gentiles.  The setting is a joyful wedding banquet (see also Matthew 25:1-13).   My study Bible comments that Christ is often called the "Bridegroom" (Matthew 9:15; John 3:29).  St. Paul also uses a marriage analogy for the Kingdom (Ephesians 5:21-33).   Here the king sends out his servants and will repeatedly do so as we read further in the parable; my study Bible comments that it shows the Father's great desire to have His people with Him in the Kingdom.  Altogether, he will send out three groups.  This first group is interpreted to be Moses and those with him.

"Again, he sent out other servants, saying, 'Tell those who are invited, "See, I have prepared my dinner; my oxen and fatted cattle are killed, and all things are ready.  Come to the wedding."'  But they made light of it and went their ways, one to his own farm, another to his business.  And the rest seized his servants, treated them spitefully, and killed them."  This second group of other servants sent out is understood to be the prophets.  They also call those who are initially invited, the Jews.  My study Bible also comments that the oxen represent the sacrifices of the Old Covenant, while the fatted cattle represent the eucharistic bread of the New Covenant.  ("Fatter," it says, is better translated "wheat-fed," or more literally "formed from wheat."  Such an animal is a male bull-calf raised on wheat in preparation for use as a religious offering.  An offering "formed from wheat" is a picture of the eucharist.)  So, therefore, both the Old and the New Covenants are fulfilled in this wedding of Christ and His Church.

"But when the king heard about it, he was furious.  And he sent out his armies, destroyed those murderers, and burned up their city."  According to St. John Chrysostom, whose teaching is cited here by my study Bible, Christ is prophesying the destruction of Jerusalem by the Romans in AD 70.  Therefore he attributes this destruction to an act of God rather than simply to that of human beings.  Nonetheless, it's noted that God showed patience by waiting some forty years from the time of Christ, giving an entire generation a chance to repent.

"Then he said to his servants, 'The wedding is ready, but those who were invited were not worthy.  Therefore go into the highways, and as many as you find, invite to the wedding.'  So those servants went out into the highways and gathered together all whom they found, both bad and good.  And the wedding hall was filled with guests."  This is the third group of servants sent out with invitations, but this time they are sent out into the highways.  Not that these gathered all whom they found, both bad and good.  This group of servants represents the apostles sent to the Gentiles.  That is, those not initially invited, but who are now called.

"But when the king came in to see the guests, he saw a man there who did not have on a wedding garment.  So he said to him, 'Friend, how did you come in here without a wedding garment?'  And he was speechless.  Then the king said to the servants, 'Bind him hand and foot, take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.'"  Here the parable turns to address us, we who have been called from among the Gentiles and out of the world from the highways.  My study Bible explains that the wedding garment would have been provided by the king, and therefore the man had no excuse for not wearing one; therefore he is speechless.  It notes that his refusal to wear the garment that was provided is an illustration of those who refuse God's hospitality, or who want God's Kingdom on their own terms.  Specifically, this garment is a reference to the baptismal garment, and by extension the life of faith, repentance, virtue, and charity that it is meant to lead us to.  Without these, my study Bible adds, a person will ultimately be cast into outer darkness.

"For many are called, but few are chosen."  For many is an Aramaic expression Christ has used before (Matthew 20:28), meaning "for all."

 

Perhaps one thing of which we should make note in today's parable is the extreme inventiveness of God, God's infinite creativity as exemplified in the repeated calling and sending out of servants.  These work in a sense in waves:  depending upon how people receive God's Kingdom and call, God works strategies to continue to find new ways to call those who will accept it into His Kingdom, to find God's "chosen."  First there is Moses, then the prophets, and finally the apostles -- and we see ultimately what will happen at the culmination of all of this effort, the Wedding Feast.  So, therefore, we understand that the story is not over yet, the drama has not finished, for we do not know exactly what will happen at the Wedding Feast of the Son, the Bridegroom -- we do not know who will be chosen, and neither do we know what lies in store for those who arrive properly wearing their wedding garment.  It's an unfolding, ongoing story, and one in which we cannot count God out, nor God's ongoing and unfolding actions calling us forward and back onto the path toward that Wedding Banquet, finding new ways to call us, and stretching the time for repentance with God's mercy, allowing us more experience, a hope of wisdom, and a challenge for preparation for the feast.  What we also understand from the parable is our own stubbornness, the constant rejection of God and God's purposes and plans, and our never-failing earthly mindset that we somehow know better, and our own drawn up plans are the only things that matter.   This is quite a typical illustration of human nature and our very limited focus on the here and now.  That limited perspective of human nature by no means gives us the long picture of observed spiritual history, and what comes to naught.  Jesus has said, "He who is not with Me is against Me, and he who does not gather with Me scatters abroad" (Matthew 12:30).  We today are foolish to dismiss the good things that Christ's teachings have brought us, the fruit they have supplied of things we might take for granted, but the world seeks after.  The products of Christian faith would include justice systems that are exhaustively driven to protect the innocent (although as human institutions, they remain imperfect and subject to corruption), or popular cultural notions we've inherited that mercy constitutes greatness more than manipulative power that was common in the ancient world (see Matthew 20:25) are things that many of us take for granted.  But those who dwell without such social inheritance long for them, and when we forget about them, our lives become tinged with misery.  But in the economy of salvation, even times of darkness can serve as learning curve, when we take time to reconsider what in our lives is valuable and precious and what is darkness.  Overall, the message for today is to see God's infinite creativity in coming to us with avenues of salvation:  when human beings fail, God will persist in finding ways to reach out, to reach us, to bring salvation to the world and even to the entire cosmos of Creation.  In our faith, even at small individual levels, we can find the same thing.  As we are closed off from one avenue, God makes a way to find another, if we are persistent in our faith and in prayer.  Sometimes life changes without our noticing or even our effort to make it so, but the ground shifts in ways that open life up in response to prayer and faith.  Sometimes that shift is an inner perspective that comes through God's grace, and we can look at life differently than we did when we were more limited by our own darkness, before the light of God opened up possibilities that were there which we just didn't see before.  We should remember that in Christ's parable, God has sent out servants -- the apostles -- to all the highways of the world, and at the same time we know that God is everywhere present and filling all things (in the words of the Orthodox Prayer to the Holy Spirit on this page).   A prayer for healing by St. Ambrose of Milan declares, "I have found a Physician. He dwells in Heaven and distributes His healing on earth. He alone can heal my pains Who Himself has none. He alone Who knows what is hidden can take away the grief of my heart, the fear of my soul."  We can be certain that the explosive, omnipotent creative power of God will always be at work, the energies of grace reaching out and seeking to save us by all means possible, to take on our darkness and send light into any crack in our armor, to find the places we can let the light in and heal.  So it is with the repeated fullness of the sending of servants to the world, to God's people, even to all the highways, to find those who will come to this wedding feast, and respond by wearing the fullness of the beautiful garment God will provide if we but choose to accept and to live faithfully.  For many are called, but few are chosen.

 

 

Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near

 

 "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 by 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 hearts filing 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 

 

Yesterday we read that, as some spoke of the temple, how it was adorned with beautiful stones and donations, Jesus said, "These things which you see -- the days will come in which not one stone shall be left upon another that shall not be thrown down."  So they asked Him, saying, "Teacher, but when will these things be?  And what sign will there be when these things are about to take place?"  And He said:  "Take heed that you not be deceived.  For many will come in My name, saying, 'I am He,' and, 'The time has drawn near.'  Therefore do not go after them.  But when you hear of wars and rumors of commotions, do not be terrified; for these things must come to pass first, but the end will not come immediately."  Then He said to them, "Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom.  And there will be great earthquakes in various places, and famines and pestilences; and there will be fearful sights and great signs from heaven.  But before all these things, they will lay their hands on you and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues and prisons.  You will be brought before kings and rulers for My name's sake.  But it will turn out for you as an occasion for testimony.  Therefore settle it in your hearts not to meditate beforehand on what you will answer; for I will give you a mouth and wisdom which all your adversaries will not be able to contradict or resist.  You will be betrayed even by parents and brothers, relatives and friends; and they will put some of you to death.  And you will be hated by all for My name's sake.  But not a hair of your head shall be lost.  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 by captive into all nations.  And Jerusalem will be trampled by Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled."  My study Bible comments that Christ's phrase when you see is an indication that many of the disciples would still be alive at the time of the Siege of Jerusalem, and the events that took place at that time.  This word translated as desolation is the same Greek word used in the Septuagint version of the prophecy of Daniel regarding the desolation of Jerusalem (for example, in Daniel 9:2).  In the Gospels of Matthew and Mark, there is a specific reference in Jesus' discourse on end times to the "abomination of desolation," another phrase found in Daniel's prophecy (see Matthew 24:15; Mark 13:14; Daniel11:31, 12:11).  My study Bible says that this was fulfilled in AD 70, when the Roman general Titus entered the Most Holy Place and had a statue of himself erected in the temple before having the temple destroyed.  Jesus pronounces woe to those who are pregnant and those who are nursing babies in the context of the fierce destruction and desperate conditions of that time.  It is an acknowledgement of the pain a mother endures in seeing her children suffering, for these would find it difficult to flee in the haste required.  My study Bible quotes St. John Chrysostom:  "Mothers are held by the tie of feeling for their children, but cannot save them.  How can one escape the bonds of nature?  How can she who nurses ever overlook the one she has borne?"

"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 hearts filing 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."  Again the narrative shifts to the fullness of the eschatology, the fullness of the time in which we live (and have done so since).  Christ's return will happen in a way that is unmistakable to all.  My study Bible comments that, while at His first coming, Christ came in humility and mortality, at His second coming, He will be revealed in power and great glory.

Jesus pronounces this intriguing statement on the time of His return:  "Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near."   What is redemption in this sense? The word in Greek is ἀπολύτρωσις/apolytropsis, from the root "lytron" which means ransom.  The verbal form means to pay a ransom, to redeem in this sense.  In this sense, it is understood as paying a ransom to free a captive, such as a slave, to liberate through full payment and return to a rightful owner or place.  This hope for redemption fills the Old Testament Scriptures.  In one translation of Sirach (also called Wisdom of Sirach), we read Israel's prayer to God "that He would confirm his mercy with us, and deliver us at his time!" (Sirach 50:24)  But in the Septuagint Greek, the word for "deliver" is really the same one found in Christ's prophecy, which literally means to ransom.  My study Bible comments that this age-old Jewish hope is accomplished through the life, death, and Resurrection of Jesus Christ. In Ephesians 1:7-14 and Romans 8:22-23, St. Paul advocates the same.  Effectively, when we view this in the context Christ gives us of the fullness of the age, the end times, we understand His life, death, and Resurrection to be working itself through all of this time in which we live, and coming to fullness and fruition at the time of His return.   To understand "fullness" in this sense, we need to know the Greek word for "end" which is τέλος/telos.  Telos does not indicate "end" so much in terms of termination, but rather that something has proceeded to its fullest point, its final goal, and greatest expression.  In this sense, the "end times" fulfill Christ's mission and work, His life, death, and Resurrection -- for these have worked and have been working since they were done.  They continue to be "at work" in our time, throughout the age, and will come to total fruition in His return.  In this sense we are redeemed, for it is His life, death, and Resurrection which fully liberates all -- all of creation.  And so, we are redeemed through His efforts, fully liberated from the bonds of the "prince of this world" and the effects of evil.  We are reminded that in John's Gospel, Jesus says, "My Father has been working until now, and I have been working" (John 5:17).  His mission is still working in this sense, and we participate in that work ("This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He sent" - John 6:29).  This working will not cease until its fullness, and that is the time of His return.  So, in our prayer and worship, let us consider how we "work" also in this redemption and liberation, how we are also laborers for the harvest.  Christ's emphasis in His prophecy of end times is on our own faithfulness, our alertness to the work He asks of us as good servants, ready to act according to His commandments.  Let us consider, then, how we are to be in this time, as the spiritual struggle for the Kingdom continues, our faithfulness and prayer and worship helping and participating in the work of redemption for the life of the world.  In today's reading, Jesus' discourse and prophesy warns first of desolation, but this is the beginning of a new age, the fullness of which has yet to be seen, and is ongoing in its struggle to unfold. But it ends with redemption, and that is the full story of our faith.

For these are the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled

 

 "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 hearts 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 

 

On Saturday we read that, as some spoke of the temple, how it was adorned with beautiful stones and donations, He said, "These things which you see -- the days will come in which not one stone shall be left upon another that shall not be thrown down."  So they asked Him, saying, "Teacher, but when will these things be?  And what sign will there be when these things are about to take place?"  And He said:  "Take heed that you not be deceived.  For many will come in My name, saying, 'I am He,' and, 'The time has drawn near.'  Therefore do not go after them.  But when you hear of wars and commotions, do not be terrified; for these things must come to pass first, but the end will not come immediately."  Then He said to them, "Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom.  And there will be great earthquakes in various places, and famines and pestilences; and there will be fearful sights and great signs from heaven.  But before all these things, they will lay their hands on you and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues and prisons.  You will be brought before kings and rulers for My name's sake.  But it will turn out for you as an occasion for testimony.  Therefore settle it in your hearts not to meditate beforehand on what you will answer; for I will give you a mouth and wisdom which all your adversaries will not be able to contradict or resist.  You will be betrayed even by parents and brothers, relatives and friends; and they will put some of you to death.  And you will be hated by all for My name's sake.  But not a hair of your head shall be lost.  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."   Although His entire discourse on "end times" (here in Luke and elsewhere in other Gospels) mixes both the events to come in a generation in Jerusalem and the fullness of worldly time, here in these verses the focus is clearly on the Siege of Jerusalem, which would occur in AD 70.  Jesus quite vividly and truthfully describes the terror and destruction that is to come.  My study bible comments that Christ's phrase when you see is an indication that many of the disciples would still be alive at that time.  Woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies is a reference to the difficulties of fleeing quickly in a time of desperation.  

"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 hearts 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."  These verses refer to the fullness of time and the "end" of worldly time.  Possibly we are to understand them as the playing out of the great spiritual conflict which exists unseen, and which is resolved in the power and authority of Christ.  But one thing is quite clear, and that is that when Christ returns it will be something unmistakable and not hidden to anyone.  Christ will be revealed with power and great glory:  these are the same words used by Matthew in Matthew 24:30.  My study bible comments that while at His first coming, Christ came in humility and mortality, at His second coming He will be revealed in "power and great glory."

 

 How do we think of Christ's second coming?  How do we think about the end of time, the fullness of the times of the world?  These things are great mysteries and they are meant to be and to remain great mysteries.  There is nowhere in the telling of these prophecies that Christ invites speculation about when they will happen.  Rather, He is giving us a warning not to be fooled and not to be afraid when we see calamitous things happening.  Christ's specific warnings about Jerusalem were clear to His followers, and for this reason, the early Church there was able to recognize the signs He foretold about the destruction of Jerusalem.  Neither would it be such a terrible shock and surprise to them when the temple was destroyed, an act which was likely to be unthinkable to the Jews of His time.  In fact, even the Romans had not wanted the temple to be destroyed, but in the heat and chaos of war there is no prediction of what will happen.  In its fullness, the Siege of Jerusalem must have simply been a horrendous thing to live through and to witness, just as Jesus describes it here.  It happened near the time of Passover, the city was full of pilgrims when a war of attrition began.  Just as Jesus says, an army encamped all around the city and it was "surrounded by armies" who prevented pilgrims from leaving, and allowed no provisions in, so people were slowly starved.  This is not something alien to wars then and now, and we should understand the full horror of what Jerusalem endured, even as fighting broke out among varied Jewish factions under the pressure of the siege.   We should think about Jesus' words of pity for the women who were pregnant and nursing babies, and consider that time and the things people went through.  Jesus calls this time "the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled."  We might well wonder what He is talking about.  He has given many warnings in parables about the rejection of Himself and His ministry, such as the one found in this reading about the Wicked Vinedressers.   In chapter 11, Jesus has said, "Therefore the wisdom of God also said, 'I will send them prophets and apostles, and some of them they will kill and persecute,' that the blood of all the prophets which was shed from the foundation of the world may be required of this generation, from the blood of Abel to the blood of Zechariah who perished between the altar and the temple. Yes, I say to you, it shall be required of this generation" (Luke 11:49-51).   What these words imply are not a condemnation upon the whole of the nation, nor are they in any way positive statements about the horrors of war (quite the opposite; see, for example, John 9:1-3).  But they do convey to us the reality of the power of God in the world, and the consequences of our rejection of the grace that is given to us.  These are not prophecies of foreboding and warning in some general sense.  They are statements about the consequences of knowingly rejecting something given by God:  a call, a revelation, a gift of God's love.  Jesus' statement in chapter 11 mentions the blood of all of the prophets "shed from the foundation of the world," a cumulative rejection which will have its effect in this generation.  What the prophets, Christ, and those who truly bear the Kingdom into the world have in common is that they are sent by God.  What we must take away from this is the understanding that whether or not we recognize some effect in the world that results from the rejection of God's call which has in some way been given as a gift of love, there really shouldn't be any doubt God's power is at work in the world, and that rejection of a gift of grace has its effect one way and another.   Whether we want to recognize that or not, whether we are conscious of this reality or not, there is little doubt that the power of this Kingdom is something real -- even a spiritual reality that might remain completely unknown to those who reject it for themselves.   At the end of the parable of the Wicked Vinedressers, Jesus speaks of the stone that was rejected:  that those who stumble upon it have a chance to think again and reconsider.    Without faith, none of this makes sense.  And certainly, the Gospels go out of their way to establish that not every hardship or difficulty results from sin -- far from it!  There is injustice aplenty that is no fault of the victims.   But let us not forget in times of hardship and difficulty -- as well as times of peace and plenty -- that the power of the Kingdom is something true and good and beautiful.  It works through the small and the weak (2 Corinthians 12:9), it lifts up the lowly, scatters the proud, pulls down even the mighty from their thrones (Luke 1:51-52), and its rejection has its effects, understood or not.  Let us consider at all times our participation through faith in this Kingdom, and count our blessings, recognizing our great gift and not taking it for granted.

 

Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near

 "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 hearts failing them from fear and the expectations 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 our current readings, Jesus is in Jerusalem, and it is what we know as Holy Week, the final week of the earthly life of Jesus.  He has been teaching daily in the temple, and also disputing with the religious leaders, who question His authority and also seek to trap Him.  But the common people listen eagerly to hear Him teach.  Yesterday we read that, as some spoke of the temple, how it was adorned with beautiful stones and donations, He said, "These things which you see -- the days will come in which not one stone shall be left upon another that shall not be thrown down."  So they asked Him, saying, "Teacher, but when will these things be?  And what sign will there be when these things are about to take place?"  And He said:  "Take heed that you not be deceived.  For many will come in My name, saying, 'I am He,' and, 'The time has drawn near.'  Therefore do not go after them.  But when you hear of wars and commotions, do not be terrified; for these things must come to pass first, but the end will not come immediately."  Then He said to them, "Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom.  And there will be great earthquakes in various places, and famines and pestilences; and there will be fearful sights and great signs from heaven.  But before all these things, they will lay their hands on you and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues and prisons.  You will be brought before kings and rulers for My name's sake.  But it will turn out for you as an occasion for testimony.  Therefore settle it in your hearts not to meditate beforehand on what you will answer; for I will give you a mouth and wisdom which all your adversaries will not be able to contradict or resist.  You will be betrayed even by parents and brothers, relatives and friends; and they will put some of you to death.  And you will be hated by all for My name's sake.  But not a hair of your head shall be lost.  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."  Jesus warns of what is to come in Jerusalem (at the Siege of Jerusalem, which would take place in 70 AD).   These events would effectively take place forty years after Christ's death.   Forty years after Christ's death indicates, according to St. John Chrysostom, a period of an entire generation given as grace and for consideration of the gospel message.  My study bible notes that the Lord's phrase when you see indicates that many of the disciples would still be living at that time.

"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 hearts failing them from fear and the expectations 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."  Jesus speaks of the fulfillment of this time in which we live, which will culminate in His Return.  That they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory indicates this even will be unmistakable to all people, hidden from no one.  My study bible comments that at His first coming, Christ came in humility and mortality.  But at His second coming, He will be revealed in power and great glory, a phrase used also by Matthew (Matthew 24:30).

What does it mean that Jesus says that "Jerusalem will be trampled by Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled"?  I think we don't necessarily know a clear answer to that.  But certainly we can be given to understand we live in a period in which we simply await His Return -- and that we have no idea when that will occur.  God's time is not our time, and the fulfillment of prophesy is not a matter of simple calculation, nor immediate manifestation.  Moreover, all of Christ's emphasis is first of all upon warning His immediate disciples to be alert and aware of the time in which the Siege of Jerusalem would take place, and also that all of the Church -- for the entire period of existence of the Church -- is to remain alert for His Return.  That is, we're not to sit and calculate and speculate when that will happen.  Rather we remain alert to the things that we need to be about, how we best fulfill the mission He's given us, and to be the disciples He asks us to be.  In this sense, although 2,000 years have passed since Christ's life as Jesus, each of us has absolutely no time to waste.  Many will tell you that life is short, but what Jesus teaches us is that every moment counts, that He expects us to be alert and awake and fully present to His purposes in our daily lives.  Despite the power of prophecy and the temptation to speculate, if we don't take that message from what He tells us, then we are missing the point.  In this sense, every moment is precious.  Our walk of faith in our worldly lives is so essential that even the hair of our heads is numbered.  It is really remarkable how many teachings of Christ seem to indicate we have no time to waste.  When He warns against excess anxiety and useless worry (12:22-34), He's really teaching us not to waste our precious time.  He warns us that His Return will come as a thief in the night, at an hour we don't expect.   So our real purpose in hearing and heeding these warnings is to understand how deeply essential to God each moment of our lives in discipleship really is.  If we realized how precious our own life is, we would consider always what it is that we are to be about, how we may love God and grow in the practice of that love.  For each moment and for each person, there will always be ways to be busy being about "our Father's business."  We may always turn to prayer, for Christ calls faith in Him the work of God (John 6:28-29).  In a prayerful life, we may see things with a certain perspective, and whatever is before us to do will present opportunities for acting on that love of God, that faith in Christ.  We effectively consider at all times the two commandments that Jesus calls the greatest:  that we first love God with all our heart and soul and mind and strength, and from this we love neighbor as ourselves.  The life lived as if all time is precious is one in which we do not forget this teaching, in which we understand that a moment lived in this love is not wasted -- and that there may be infinite ways of its expression depending upon our own circumstances.  It is a disposition of the heart that is the kind of alertness we're called to, and there will always be something at hand -- even if that means to sit in one's secret, private place and pray.  Sometimes that is indeed the best use of our time, as affirmed by Christ (Matthew 6:6).  Let us not forget that Christ also calls us to appreciate the beauty of the world and not to waste our time in useless toil (Matthew 6:28-29).  Moreover, we're to be aware of the good gifts we're given.   And we are always called back to ourselves, as was the Prodigal (15:17).  We might consider all the goals and challenges with which the world may present us; and contrast that with the humility He asks of us, the true and sober orientation of the heart He reminds us always to be alert to -- for it is there we will find our true challenge, the Way He asks of us, and how precious our every moment is to Him.  This is how we remain mindful of the reality of the time to "look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near."