Jesus’ disciples ask Him two questions: when will the Temple be destroyed, and what will be the warning signs that it is about to happen.  Jesus responds by speaking about events that will take place in the future.

Jesus begins by warning His followers to be skeptical when they hear rumors and claims.  Nor should they be impressed by wars and upheavals: these things will happen, but they are not signs that Jerusalem is about to be destroyed.  Even before these upheavals, Jesus’ followers will experience persecution and martyrdom.  They are not to worry about what they will say when they are hauled into court, for Jesus will give them words.  They are not even to worry when they are put to death, for “not a hair on your head will be destroyed.”  Those who can kill the body can do only that;  God will preserve the followers of Jesus through death.

What Jesus is reminding all of us is that this life was always going to pass away.  We are created for the eternal life.  Eternal life has to do with God and His life.  Jesus through His passion, death and resurrection has given us the way to eternal life.  It is only by relying on our faith in Jesus Christ that we will pass through death to life – and that life is the eternal life for which we were created.  The true Temple of God not built by human hands – the risen Christ-lives in our midst with an eternal permanence.

God Bless

Msgr. Powell