Jesus’prophecy about Jerusalem

Jesus said to his disciples, “When you see the army encircling Jerusalem, know that its desolation is near. Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. But let them in the city come out of it, and let them in the country enter them not: for they shall be days of vengeance, that all that is written may be fulfilled. Woe to pregnant women and to those who will add in those days! For there shall be great tribulation on the earth, and wrath against this people. And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and they shall bring them into captivity into all nations: and the Gentiles shall tread upon Jerusalem until the time of the Gentiles is fulfilled. There will be signs in the sun and moon and the stars, and on earth, nations will be full of anxiety and confusion from the roar of the sea and the waves. People will be reconciled to the fear and anticipation of what will come into the world, for the heavenly powers will tremble. Then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. When these things begin to come to pass, then stand up straight, and lift your head; for your redemption draweth nigh.

A look into the nature of today and the idea that another church year is coming to an end is an opportunity for many of us to become more aware of the world’s end. Some fear death and old age, fear and others do not. What’s the difference? Cause?

We know that Beethoven wrote his greatest works when he was deaf when he no longer had any physical condition. Similarly, Goethe and Kant created their greatest works only when they became old and physically dilapidated. This can also be a model of aging. Others fear the end of the world. Let’s say: Sir, help my inadequacies. Sir, you know everything. You know I love you.

Evangelist St. Mark writes the words of Christ: “But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, neither the Son, but the Father” (Mark 13:32). They are serious words, and they tell us about terrible changes, to awaken us to vigilance, to constant expectation and readiness, which we must not forget, and what we need to realize more; these words speak of joy because they speak of aging with who chose us, who promised us that we would see his face, the most loving face, the face of the Son of man, the loving face of Jesus. “with great power and glory” (Mark 13:26). The glorious coming of Christ that we expect is for our liberation and salvation. The prophet Daniel saw the day as a time of distress, but then the people of God will be set free. The Lord will save from eternal death those who flee to Him. Jesus freed us with the one sacrifice of the cross and will make those who can be sanctified perfectly happy.

This message from Jesus about the end of the world leads us to reflect on human life and human history. We can compare it to a game of hiding. Someone is hiding, and another is looking for him. A father or mother is looking for a son or daughter. When he sees him, he cries out with joy when he reveals a loving face. Discovering and searching for the face of this game is a hint of the secret of our lives. Man is looking for a face. A believer who sincerely seeks will find God hidden by the man after everything. Our God is hidden, letting himself be sought so that we may have even more joy from meeting him. But even a person can hide. He hides behind the things of this world, behind ideas, behind excuses, and over the years of my life, I am still young, I am still beautiful … one day we will indeed each meet our God. There will be a meeting of God with his child. There will be a meeting of God, the Judge, with his brothers. Jesus will meet us, the Redeemer, with those for whom he died. It would be tragic if we refused this meeting. It is only to our detriment that we are not preparing for this meeting. Even the signs on our body, the signs of years, diseases, and the like, should be understood as a memento to prepare for the encounter with God the Judge. So we also have an old age.