Word to the Wise
Sunday, November 13, 2016 - 33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time - C
[Mal 3:19-20a; 2 Thess 3:7-12; Luke 21:5-19]While some people were speaking about how the temple was adorned with costly stones and votive offerings, Jesus said, "All that you see here - the days will come when there will not e left a stone upon another stone that will not be thrown down." [Luke]
Three different contexts are featured in today's gospel scripture. The first is the one depicted in the gospel itself, which takes place when Jesus has reached Jerusalem just before the events of what we now call Holy Week. The temple was quite a sight for Galileans. Herod the Great started a restoration project that took more than forty years to complete. So, there may have been some gawking by some of the disciples - much like any of us visiting St. Peter's in Rome for the first time. So, Jesus' statement that this incredibly large structure would be reduced to rubble would have been startling.
The second context is that of the audience for whom Luke was originally writing. The composition of this gospel took place not long after the Romans had destroyed the temple after the Jewish Revolt 66-70AD. Anyone visiting Jerusalem in this context would have seen a building reduced to rubble. What's more, the "Lucan community" was going through persecution and longing for relief. Jesus' prediction of that persecution and his promise of hope would be important to that community.
The third context is ours. We in the United States are not suffering the same way our brothers and sisters in Syria and Iraq are suffering. They have seen ancient Christian churches desecrated and destroyed and the lives of their loved ones ended. It is their faith that is sustaining them. We over here need to understand what Luke is saying to them and realize that there is no guarantee it can't happen here. Jesus tells us that this is a time for giving testimony and that the Spirit will provide us with words and actions. Perseverance in faith in a time of troubles makes the difference. AMEN
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