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Gospel: Luke 21: 29-33
Jesus told his disciples a parable.
“Consider the fig tree and all the other trees.
When their buds burst open,
you see for yourselves and know that summer is now near;
in the same way, when you see these things happening,
know that the Kingdom of God is near.
Amen, I say to you, this generation will not pass away
until all these things have taken place.
Heaven and earth will pass away,
but my words will not pass away.”
The Gospel of the Lord.
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In his retirement, Thomas Jefferson, our nation’s third president, carried out a project he had contemplated for years.
He took a razor blade and cut and pasted various passages from the Gospels into a single narrative of Christ’s life from his birth to his crucifixion. However, Jefferson intentionally left a few things out: any mention of angels, miracles, or signs of Christ’s divinity.
All that was left were the Lord’s moral teachings. This became known as, “The Jefferson Bible,” which was held in secret until his death.
The original script has been preserved by the Smithsonian in Washington.
Jefferson did what many human beings are tempted to do: he created a version of God in his own image and likeness, keeping what he liked and tossing out what he didn’t.
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At first glance, today’s Gospel passage might be one of those extra sections we’d be tempted to cut out, because Jesus is speaking about something uncomfortable, the end of the world – and by inclusion, the end of our own lives here on earth.
But as with any page in the Bible, all things must be put into their proper context.
First, consider who will bring an end to the world – not the Evil One, but Jesus Christ, our friend; our Savior; the one who has, “loved us and given himself for us.” A face-to-face encounter with the Son of God is meant to be a moment of tremendous awe and joy!
Secondly, consider what is ending versus what is not.
What is coming to an end are depressing things like: darkness, war, sin, suffering, and death. Things that have plagued our world ever since Adam and Eve.
What will not end is life. Jesus tells us plainly, “Whoever in me believes has eternal life.”
Not here, but in heaven. The place where our swords will be beaten into plowshares, our spears into pruning hooks; where the lion lays down with the lamb; where we will walk and not grow weary, run and not grow faint.
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As we prepare for Advent and Christmas, we should remember that we are people of the resurrection. Our God comes – not only to live and die as one of us – but also to save us and lead us into life eternal.
Come, Lord Jesus.
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Image credits: (1) Crosswalk.com (2) The Wall Street Journal (3) YouTube, Daily TV Mass