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 be left a stone upon another stone that will not be thrown down.”
Then they asked him,
“Teacher, when will this happen? And what sign will there be when all these things are about to happen?”
He answered,
“See that you not be deceived, for many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am he,’ and ‘The time has come.’ Do not follow them! When you hear of wars and insurrections, do not be terrified; for such things must happen first, but it will not immediately be the end.”
Then he said to them,
“Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be powerful earthquakes, famines, and plagues from place to place; and awesome sights and mighty signs will come from the sky.”
All things of this world come to an end. They run a natural course and death is part of the cycle. I recall reflecting a few weeks ago about the greyhounds chasing the rabbit. When the machine broke one day and they caught it, they did not know what to do. We spend so much of our lives chasing fasle promises. The time we give to our spiritual formation is time given to something that does not come to an end. It is a dance with the eternal.
ReplyDeleteYour thoughtful reflection on Luke 21:5-11 effectively captures the ephemeral nature of worldly pursuits and the enduring significance of spiritual growth. The observation that "all things of this world come to an end" highlights the impermanence of material possessions, fame, and other worldly achievements. These things, while enticing and seemingly valuable, ultimately fade away, leaving us with a sense of emptiness and longing.
ReplyDeleteThe notion of death as part of the natural cycle reminds us of our mortality and the importance of making our time on earth count. While death is inevitable, it is not an end but a transition into a new realm of existence. The time we spend on spiritual formation, on the other hand, is an investment in something that transcends our physical lives.
Your analogy of the greyhounds chasing the rabbit beautifully illustrates the futility of chasing fleeting pleasures and worldly pursuits. When the machine breaks and the rabbit is caught, the dogs are left confused and disoriented, having lost sight of their true purpose. Similarly, when we focus solely on material gains, we may find ourselves feeling lost and unfulfilled once those achievements fade away.
The concept of investing time in spiritual formation as a "dance with the eternal" resonates with the notion of connecting with something that transcends the limitations of time and space. Spiritual growth, unlike worldly pursuits, offers a sense of permanence, purpose, and connection to something greater than ourselves.
In essence, your response to Luke 21:5-11 effectively contrasts the fleeting nature of worldly pursuits with the enduring significance of spiritual growth. It is a reminder to prioritize our spiritual well-being, investing our time and energy in cultivating a deep connection with our inner selves and the divine, a connection that endures beyond the limitations of our physical lives.