From Fr. Eric Asamoah
The Temple of Herod the Great in Jerusalem was an immense structure, thought to be one of the largest religious sites in the ancient world. Jesus is here shown as predicting the Temple’s destruction in today’s Gospel. ‘There will not be left here one stone upon another that will not be thrown down,’.
Historical accounts show that the destruction of the Temple and of the city was a horrific event, marked by a brutal Roman siege, mass starvation, widespread death, and the complete razing of the city. The famous ‘wailing wall’ in Jerusalem is all that’s left of this fantastic building.
As we end the liturgical year the Church invites us through Scripture readings at Mass to reflect on the end of time. The biblical passages we hear are what we call ‘apocalyptic’. ‘Apocalyptic’ is often imaginative and designed to give hearers strength and hope in the midst of persecution and suffering.
In the midst of all the dramatic language about wars and insurrections and earthquakes and dangers in today’s readings and in today’s world, we should keep in mind one certainty, that we are exiles and wayfarers on this earth, we are drawing ever nearer to our ultimate home in heaven, a thought that need not fill us with sorrow, but with a longing to be with Christ in the life to come.
The Prophet Malachi’s message of hope in the first reading is very reliable: the sun of righteousness shall rise with healing in its wings. Malachi is a short book from the later Old Testament period after the people of Israel have returned from exile. People need their spirits to be raised up, the arrogant and evildoers will be punished. The coming Savior Jesus Christ will bring spiritual light, healing, and salvation to all who trust in him.
Let us keep in mind St Paul’s practical advice; as we wait for the Savior’s return, we need not neglect our ordinary duties as Christians if anyone will not work, neither let him eat!” (2nd reading). God be with you all.