25 November 2016 - right focus

[ Today's Readings ]

Jesus tells us that we should not prepare in advance what we are going to say in times of trial are persecution. He tells us not to prepare words. But he does tell us to be ready for things that are coming. He tells us to prepare our hearts. 

We are told to recognize the signs of the times not so that we can come up with a solution to the problems ourselves but rather so that we can keep our focus on the right things. When there are wars and rumors of war our perspective tends to become narrow and earthly at exactly the time it needs to be focused on the fact that the Kingdom of God is near.

in the same way, when you see these things happening,
know that the Kingdom of God is near.

We need to be prepared so that we don't accept the mark of the beast or its image. This mark represents the ultimately temptation to make a bargain with demonic powers to solve the problems of the earth. If we are watching for the signs of the times and recognize the coming kingdom in them we are not tempted to do whatever seems politically expedient to solve these problems. We must do instead only what Christ would have us do. Our flesh might feel this is insufficient. There might be the temptation to do more but means that aren't entirely moral. But Christ sees more broadly than we ever can. His plan is perfect. We just need to keep our eyes fixed on him.

My soul yearns and pines 
for the courts of the LORD.
My heart and my flesh
cry out for the living God.

We will eventually be judged by our works. The beast, whether Rome, or whatever modern variant of corrupt political power is in question, will pass away. We need to be on the watch for the eternal in the midst of the pressing temporary problems of our world. The solutions the beast offers are no solutions at all. They lead only, ultimately, to the pool of fire. But the kingdom of heaven is indeed at hand. The kingdom solutions, the words of Jesus, are lasting solutions. They lead toward a new heaven and a new earth, to the holy city where night is no more and all suffering is ended.

Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth.
The former heaven and the former earth had passed away,
and the sea was no more.
I also saw the holy city, a new Jerusalem,
coming down out of heaven from God,
prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.