The world belongs to God
The earth and all its people
How good and lovely it is
To live together in unity
Love and faith come together
Justice and peace join hands
Song “Make me a channel”
Let us in silence remember our faults and failings
Christ have mercy on us, deliver us from ourselves and help us to put right our lives.
Amen.
The Lord’s Prayer in our own language
Song “Come thou O prince of peace”
Reflection on Mark 13v1-8
Jesus leaves the temple and goes to the Mount of Olives where he answers the disciples' question concerning the end times. He does so against a backdrop of the looming conflict between the Jews and the Romans which will end with the destruction of the temple in AD 70. Should the disciples take up arms to fight the Romans? Sometimes it’s important to hear predictions. 1.5 degrees!
The days before the end requires us to be strong.
Jesus has predicted that the temple will be destroyed. He is no supporter of the temple cult and its power. The disciples want to know how they will recognize these end times. Jesus gives details of preliminary events, "the birth-pangs".
Forget the magnificence of the temple, its days are numbered. There will be false messiahs, false prophets confusing Christians. There will be wars, and rumours of wars, and persecution, before the end.
He is speaking to his generation. Prophets direct their words to an immediate situation. The temple was built of enormous stones (Josephus). The temple stands condemned as a stumbling block (maybe like church buildings?). Jesus is accused of trying to destroy the temple at his trial.
No stone will be left which came true. God will abandon the temple.
Dan.12:6,7. is in the background of the passage.
There will be famines and natural calamities. But don’t jump to hasty conclusions.
Watch out, be on guard. Be discerning and alert. There will be deceivers.(Josephus indicates that there were many self-proclaimed prophets up to the rebellion in 66AD).
But don’t be troubled. These things must happen.
Nations will rise up against nations. There will be earthquakes.
It reads like a warning for today! So we must be careful, be watchful. Wars cause destruction. Be wise. Don’t be deceived by false leaders, especially political and religious! Amen
Song “My dwelling place”
Our prayers for our world and for the many wars and famines and earthquakes and leaders who deceive us. Today we remember the fallen in two world wars. May God protect us and keep us safe.
May we not fail you. Amen
Song “The Peace of the earth be with you”
The blessing of God be upon you
On those you love and those you meet
This day and for evermore. Amen
With thanks to the ©Iona Community adapted
