Jesus continues his description of the troubles to come that will mark the end of the world. There's always the temptation to predict when this might happen, but Jesus tells us even he doesn't know when the end will come. Instead we should hear his warning that things will be rough before the end and that there will be many who try to deceive us. We know what we need to know to face the trouble that will come. We know Christ loves us and will bring us safely home in the end. In the meantime, we know our calling: to love God and love our neighbor. Anything that tries to pull us away from that calling is not from God. We have the Holy Spirit and the community to strengthen and guide us, so let us keep the faith.
God bless,
Sam
Mark 13:14-23
14“But when you see the desolating sacrilege set up where it ought not to be (let the reader understand), then those in Judea must flee to the mountains; 15the one on the housetop must not go down or enter the house to take anything away; 16the one in the field must not turn back to get a coat. 17Woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing infants in those days! 18Pray that it may not be in winter. 19For in those days there will be suffering, such as has not been from the beginning of the creation that God created until now, no, and never will be. 20And if the Lord had not cut short those days, no one would be saved; but for the sake of the elect, whom he chose, he has cut short those days. 21And if anyone says to you at that time, ‘Look! Here is the Messiah!’ or ‘Look! There he is!’ —do not believe it. 22False messiahs and false prophets will appear and produce signs and omens, to lead astray, if possible, the elect. 23But be alert; I have already told you everything.
No comments:
Post a Comment