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.”
Gospel Trivia:
Jesus is referring to the Jewish temple, which is the center of the Jewish faith. It is like the Vatican for us. If Vatican City were, for example, to be destroyed by ISIS, our faith would be shaken to its core, and we would certainly feel that the end of the world would be near.
This is what Jesus is guarding against -- that major catastrophes or conflicts should not be interpreted as signs of the end. While the Kingdom of God is at hand (already here with the coming of Jesus), it is not yet complete. Its completion is not immediate or instant, but a process of building it, with the building to be carried out by his disciples.
In the process, there will be challenges and persecutions, and Jesus exhorts all to persevere. Do not be I've taken by tragedies, the building of the kingdom will not be subverted.
This is in preparation for next Sunday's gospel, the feast of Christ the King of the universe and of all time.
Reference: A Kingdom for All, pp. 378-380.
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