Today’s Scripture Readings

‘When you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its desolation has come near. Then those in Judea must flee to the mountains, and those inside the city must leave it, and those out in the country must not enter it; for these are days of vengeance, as a fulfilment of all that is written. Woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing infants in those days! For there will be great distress on the earth and wrath against this people; they will fall by the edge of the sword and be taken away as captives among all nations; and Jerusalem will be trampled on by the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.

‘There will be signs in the sun, the moon, and the stars, and on the earth distress among nations confused by the roaring of the sea and the waves. People will faint from fear and foreboding of what is coming upon the world, 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 take place, stand up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.’

Today’s Gospel, a prophecy on the fall of Jerusalem, is incredibly unsettling. Particularly considering it speaks of war, destruction of the earth, the disregarding of the most vulnerable and the ‘distress’ of nations… all things that are resonant of today’s political and environmental reality. While Jesus warns of how destructive humankind can be, He also affirms our hope of redemption and in doing so does not leave us in the depths of the doom and gloom but points to the saving power of the Son of Man… His saving power.

‘Now when these things begin to take place, stand up and raise your heads because your redemption is drawing near.’ And so, it is Jesus’ encouragement to stand up straight and tall with our heads raised high that we find our hope and our way forward. Amid all the chaos that can surround us we are called to be counter-cultural, to be people of prayer, peace, action, and justice. For, it is in our life-giving choice to live as people who are faithful to Christ that our redemption is assured.

Take a moment to consider your impact on the world around you. What are some life-giving choices you can make this week to be a person of prayer, peace, action, and justice?