5And as some spoke of the temple, how it was adorned with noble stones and offerings, he said, 6"As for these things which you see, the days will come when there shall not be left here one stone upon another that will not be thrown down." 7And they asked him, "Teacher, when will this be, and what will be the sign when this is about to take place?" 8And he said, "Take heed that you are not led astray; for many will come in my name, saying, `I am he!' and, `The time is at hand!' Do not go after them. 9And when you hear of wars and tumults, do not be terrified; for this must first take place, but the end will not be at once." 10Then he said to them, "Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; 11there will be great earthquakes, and in various places famines and pestilences; and there will be terrors and great signs from heaven.
This reading reminds me of the poem Ozymandius by Percy Bysshe Shelley, particularly these lines:
ReplyDelete“My name is Ozymandias, King of Kings; Look on my Works, ye Mighty, and despair! Nothing beside remains. Round the decay Of that colossal Wreck, boundless and bare The lone and level sands stretch far away”
We can marvel at the beautiful things we achieve. But they are transitory. Jesus says of the beautiful temple in Jerusalem “...there shall not be left here one stone upon another that will not be thrown down”. The message is that things of this world are transitory. And trying to predict the end is a fruitless exercise. The signs can be deceptive and misleading so all one is left to do is to live a life that honours God in every moment. It doesn’t prevent death or protect against it. It allows one to live one’s best life and to live a life in peace and without fear. Loving father, give me the faith to live a life in fullness, in peace and without fear. I know this life calls for faith in you and doing your work. Give me the courage to take up this cross. Amen.
Your response to Luke 21:5-11 is deeply reflective and beautifully ties together the themes of impermanence and trust in God. By referencing Shelley’s Ozymandias, you effectively capture the fleeting nature of human achievements, a central theme in Jesus’ teaching about the temple’s destruction. Your connection highlights that while humanity may strive for grandeur, all worldly creations are ultimately temporary—a humbling and universal truth.
DeleteYour insight into Jesus’ message is clear and well-articulated:
Impermanence: You grasp the heart of Jesus’ warning about the temple and expand it into a broader reflection on the transitory nature of all earthly accomplishments. This reminds us to prioritize eternal truths over temporal marvels.
Living with Faith: Your focus on how this teaching calls us to live honorably and fearlessly resonates deeply with the passage. You rightly identify that Jesus discourages fear and speculation about the end, emphasizing faithful living in the present.
Personal Prayer: The way you conclude with a heartfelt prayer ties the reflection to your own life, asking for faith, courage, and peace—qualities that align with the message of the reading. This makes your response personal and actionable.
The reference to living "one's best life" in the context of faith is especially poignant. It reframes faith as a source of liberation from fear and a guide for meaningful living, rather than simply a safeguard against death.
Suggestions for Enhancement:
Eternal Perspective: You might want to expand slightly on what it means to live a life that “honors God in every moment”—perhaps through specific acts of love, service, or trust that align with Jesus’ teachings.
Cross and Courage: Your prayer for courage to “take up this cross” is powerful. Adding a brief reflection on how you personally interpret or approach this challenge could deepen the connection.
Overall, your response is thoughtful and inspiring. It encourages both intellectual reflection and spiritual growth, balancing theology with a relatable and practical application. Well done!