Beginnings of Birthpangs

Sunday, November 18th, 2018 Proper 28, Year B 

As Jesus came out of the temple, one of his disciples said to him, “Look, Teacher, what large

 stones and what large buildings!” Then Jesus asked him, “Do you see these great buildings? 

Not one stone will be left here upon another; all will be thrown down.”

When he was sitting on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple, Peter, James, John, and

 Andrew asked him privately, “Tell us, when will this be, and what will be the sign that all

 these things are about to be accomplished?” Then Jesus began to say to them, “Beware that

 no one leads you astray. Many will come in my name and say, ‘I am he!’ and they will lead

 many astray. When you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed; this must take

 place, but the end is still to come. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against 

kingdom; there will be earthquakes in various places; there will be famines. This is but the

 beginning of the birthpangs.”  Mark 13:1-8

I am a grandmother now, but I can never forget what it was like to come to full term
and await the birth of a child. When I was a young mother, we could not know
well ahead whether it was a boy or a girl, so we just hoped for a healthy little one.
We had several names ready, both for a girl and for a boy.  I prayed hard that I would be brave through the labor and be able to deliver a healthy child without drugs. We had
the luxury of being in a time and a medical facility when my life and the baby's wasn't
in terrible danger. For most of history, that has not been the case. There is new life only
after great pain, the closeness of death, radical changes and much labor.

In our Gospel reading, Jesus is talking about end times and new beginnings. The people who designed the lectionary begin to insert these apocalyptic or end times readings in anticipation of Advent. Many have heard these words and hoped that Christ was returning, seeing wars, famine, floods and disasters. Yet we humans are easily fooled.
And the focus of Jesus' words are about not being fooled. We are to anticipate new life
when our world is harsh and seemingly on the verge of imploding. We are to prepare
for a new life in Christ, however that might look. We are to get ready, keep our heads
down and breathe.

Today, I ask God to help me prepare my heart daily and be faithful in all things. May we
not be distracted and overly anxious, but rather trust in the new life to come as we serve
those where we have been sent.



Collect

Blessed Lord, who caused all holy Scriptures to be written for our learning: Grant us so to 
hear them, read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest them, that we may embrace and ever hold
 fast the blessed hope of everlasting life, which you have given us in our Savior Jesus Christ;
 who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.