Little Apocalpse
“Do you see these great buildings? Not one stone will be left here upon another; all will be thrown down.” ~ Mark 13:2
I remember the experience over forty years ago as if it were yesterday. As I exited the massive stone building, I turned around and looked up above the three massive portals to behold a lyrical depiction of God’s handiwork—the creation of day, the creation of humankind, and the creation of night. Three three images carved by stonemasons out of Indiana limestone. The stonemasonry of the Washington National Cathedral took my breath away. Surely God dwells here.
I imagine my experience not unlike that of the disciples dazzled by the Temple. “Look, Teacher, what large stones and what large buildings!” they exclaimed to Jesus. And they were right. Herod’s Temple was three times the length of the Washington National Cathedral. Its retaining walls were a stack of stones forty feet long. An impressive sight, especially for Jesus’ followers from the countryside.
Surely, they would have been taken aback by Jesus’ response, “Do you see these great buildings? Not one stone will be left here upon another; all will be thrown down.”
Jesus’ answer comes in the symbolic language of end times—cataclysmic events, war, earthquake, and famine. Tomorrow’s gospel is known as Mark’s little apocalypse. Apocalyptic language is less a prediction of historical events and more the revealing of the truth—the world as it really is and what will be. A disclosure of what is hidden. As writer Debi Thomas puts it, “To experience an apocalypse is to experience fresh sight …. to apprehend reality as we’ve never apprehended it before.”
In highly symbolic language, Jesus is pointing out to the disciples to look beyond the grandeur of the Temple to the reality of God. God would not be contained by stones assembled on a hill. God’s mercy and justice flow like a mighty stream where it will (Amos 5:24), making way for a new world of hope and life for all.
As we near the season of Advent, and the beginning of another liturgical year, our Sunday readings will continue with apocalyptic themes. I invite you to welcome these readings in the spirit in which they were written – a spirit of hope and opportunity to open your eyes to God’s faithfulness to all people, at all times, and in all places. Over the next few weeks, ask yourself, “How are my eyes being opened? What new possibilities, new hope, and new sight are possible?”
As we do so, let us remember the words in Hebrews, which will also be read tomorrow: “Let us hold fast to the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who has promised is faithful.” The birth pangs of a new heaven and a new earth continue as we eagerly await the coming of God’s kingdom.
