Sunday Meditation: The Destruction of the Temple

Some modern theologians don’t consider Jesus’s prophesy of the destruction of the temple to be real.  That’s why they date the writing of the Gospels to after 70 AD when the Temple was destroyed by the Romans, so that they say this was written after the event.  Well that would mean Jesus never said this.  But a true dating of the Gospels, held by the Church Fathers, was that they were all written before the 70 AD.  This is a real prophesy.

 

While some people were speaking about

how the temple was adorned with costly stones and votive offerings,

Jesus said, "All that you see here--

the days will come when there will not be left

a stone upon another stone that will not be thrown down."

 

Then they asked him,

"Teacher, when will this happen?

And what sign will there be when all these things are about to happen?"

He answered,

"See that you not be deceived,

for many will come in my name, saying,

'I am he,' and 'The time has come.'

Do not follow them!

When you hear of wars and insurrections,

do not be terrified; for such things must happen first,

but it will not immediately be the end."

Then he said to them,

"Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom.

There will be powerful earthquakes, famines, and plagues

from place to place;

and awesome sights and mighty signs will come from the sky.

 

"Before all this happens, however,

they will seize and persecute you,

they will hand you over to the synagogues and to prisons,

and they will have you led before kings and governors

because of my name.

It will lead to your giving testimony.

Remember, you are not to prepare your defense beforehand,

for I myself shall give you a wisdom in speaking

that all your adversaries will be powerless to resist or refute.

You will even be handed over by parents, brothers, relatives, and friends,

and they will put some of you to death.

You will be hated by all because of my name,

but not a hair on your head will be destroyed.

By your perseverance you will secure your lives."

~Lk 21:5-19

 

Bishop Robert Barron has a super homily on this passage. 

 

 

Magnificent!  I don’t think you can get more thorough, insightful, and inspiring than that!