Mark 13 : 1 - 8
The Message Translation
1 As he walked away from the Temple, one of his disciples said, “Teacher, look at that stonework! Those buildings!”
2 Jesus said, “You’re impressed by this grandiose architecture? There’s not a stone in the whole works that is not going to end up in a heap of rubble.”
3-4 Later, as he was sitting on Mount Olives in full view of the Temple, Peter, James, John, and Andrew got him off by himself and asked, “Tell us, when is this going to happen? What sign will we get that things are coming to a head?”
5-8 Jesus began, “Watch out for doomsday deceivers. Many leaders are going to show up with forged identities claiming, ‘I’m the One.’ They will deceive a lot of people. When you hear of wars and rumored wars, keep your head and don’t panic. This is routine history, and no sign of the end. Nation will fight nation and ruler fight ruler, over and over. Earthquakes will occur in various places. There will be famines. But these things are nothing compared to what’s coming.
REFLECTIONS:
Thoughts from Matt:
Jesus had left the temple.
There, he had observed arrogant in-your-face abundance donated alongside the 6-minute-wages of an impoverished widow. Much of the temple and surrounding Jerusalem skyline had been built by these funds. One of Jesus' followers directed his gaze back toward the city. The majority of these magnificent buildings — including the temple — would be rubble within 40 years (70 CE).
History tends to repeat itself — "routine history." Nothing new under the sun. But how do we avoid descending into anxiety and despair with the threat of destruction on the horizon? We don't put our trust in structures and institutions. We invest in people whose worth isn't based in how they're treated or how they voted. We keep walking in the ways of Jesus.
PRACTICE:
Outward Mindset Application
Have you written off someone recently because you didn't agree about something important? How might you express curiosity this week in an attempt to truly understand their perspective and needs?
Non-Violent Communication Question of the Week
How do you know when you have met someone’s emotional needs? What are you litmus tests?
Who can help you develop your awareness of under-the-surface needs people carry?
Pathways toward Centeredness
Caregiving and Activism:
Come alongside someone who is in the margins and reassure them that you care and will continue to work for their well-being.
Questions for Reflection
How do you see the status of our world today in light of historical events? Sadly, death, destruction, hatred, and fear are not new to the human experience. What ways of Jesus could you lean into more in this broken world?
“Liturgy” refers to the habits and practices humans use to form community around shared values and meaning. At Church at the Park, we desire to be a community of practice, becoming people who see the world through the eyes of the marginalized, making meaning through the lens of pain and suffering, and committing ourselves to non-violence in a wounded world. This weekly email is intended to provide pathways of practice for becoming the type of people who embody these values.
Many of our reflections on each week's text come from other sources. If you're interested in reading more of what inspires us, here our our two favorite reflections.
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