To Endure

As he 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 rumours 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 birth pangs.

‘As for yourselves, beware; for they will hand you over to councils; and you will be beaten in synagogues; and you will stand before governors and kings because of me, as a testimony to them. And the good news must first be proclaimed to all nations. When they bring you to trial and hand you over, do not worry beforehand about what you are to say; but say whatever is given you at that time, for it is not you who speak, but the Holy Spirit. Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child, and children will rise against parents and have them put to death; and you will be hated by all because of my name. But the one who endures to the end will be saved. Mark 13:1-13

A Saturday Night Reflection

I learned to swim in the open ocean. I was so small I really don't remember it. What I do remember very well, is the feel of the salt water, the swells of the waves and the need to work hard to get any distance. One needs to endure to really swim in the ocean. Even seemingly calm seas have hidden challenges. Under tows and currents can surprise even the best swimmers. And things change with the seasons.

We are invited to look on our lives of faith with the impermanence of an ever changing sea. The tides get high and low twice a day. Our lives can come crashing down, but they will rise again. Our calm, sweet moments are often followed by a clanging riot of problems. Yet God promises to be with us in all these tides and seasons, through storms and collapses, through all the breakthroughs and all the breakdowns.

May we, as we prepare our hearts for Sunday, remember that this season, no mater how it has marked us, will surely change. There is more love to receive and we are never alone.