Meditation Minute

My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

 

“Stand erect and raise your heads because your redemption is at hand.” 

 

Gospel Reading: Luke 20:21-28

 

Jesus said to his disciples: "When you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, know that its desolation is at hand. Then those in Judea must flee to the mountains. Let those within the city escape from it, and let those in the countryside not enter the city, for these days are the time of punishment when all the Scriptures are fulfilled. Woe to pregnant women and nursing mothers in those days, for a terrible calamity will come upon the earth and a wrathful judgment upon this people. They will fall by the edge of the sword and be taken as captives to all the Gentiles; and Jerusalem will be trampled underfoot by the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled. "There will be signs in the sun, the moon, and the stars, and on earth nations will be in dismay, perplexed by the roaring of the sea and the waves. People will die of fright in anticipation of what is coming upon the world, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. And then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. But when these signs begin to happen, stand erect and raise your heads because your redemption is at hand."

 

Today’s Gospel reading is the third part of the apocalyptic message we have been hearing for the past couple of days.  In the message, Jesus foretells the destruction of Jerusalem and warns the Jews that “when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, know that its desolation is at hand.”  In this story, Jerusalem is punished because she has broken her covenant with God.  So what message does that have for us today?  Catholic tradition states that Israel represents the church.  The church that survives the devastation of 70 AD is referred to in the Bible as the New Jerusalem.  Therefore, out of the destruction of Israel, a new church rises from the ashes.  This New Church is baptized in the glory of Christ.  Jesus tells us, “They will fall by the edge of the sword and be taken as captives to all the Gentiles; and Jerusalem will be trampled underfoot by the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.”  The chosen people are no longer the Jewish Nation but includes all of humanity – “the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.”  At this time, the Gentiles, who did not belong to the Jewish faith are now made part of the church.  Every living human being is made part of the new church.  This is the good news; this is Christ telling us that the church is open to everyone. 

 

The last part of the passage foretells of our own day of judgment. “But when these signs begin to happen, stand erect and raise your heads because your redemption is at hand.”  All of us will die and all of us will be judged by the Son of Man.  This Day of Judgment will either be a sad day or joyful day for us.  At your day of judgment, will Christ praise you for your labor or punish you for your wickedness.  The hope of salvation is placed in our souls at birth.  We have a natural desire to be good and want forgiveness.  We all hope for eternal life; however, we do not all do what is necessary to achieve eternal life.  We must be sorrowful for our sinfulness and beg Christ to have mercy on us.  We do not want to end up like the old Jerusalem, destroyed by the armies, but like the new church, raised in the glory of Christ.  During this advent season, we should prepare the way for Christ.  We should clear the trail to let him into our lives.  Most of us think of Lent as a time of reflection and penance, but we should take the opportunity during Advent to do the same.  This year raise a new church in your soul, stand erect and raise your head because Christ the King is coming.

 

A Simple Prayer

 

Lord, I am the New Jerusalem; let me stand tall and erect.

Give me the strength to raise my head so I can face my judgment.

Help me prepare the way of the Lord in my soul.

 

Yours in Christ

Michael Marcon