Education in Faith
This week’s gospel continues through the discourse of chapter 13 in the Gospel of Mark. Chapter 13 is devoted to discourse about the future. Jesus has foretold the destruction of the Temple and the fall of Jerusalem. He has also predicted war on a massive scale and the persecution of his followers. Now, in this passage, Jesus predicts the return of the Son of Man and the fulfilment of the kingdom of God.
Whilst the community who were the intended audience of the Gospel of Mark were expecting the return of Jesus and the end times to occur during their lifetimes, nearly two thousand years later we realise that wasn’t the case. In the midst of this despair and fear, the followers of Jesus are challenged to remember the teachings of the one they follow. This passage is written for them as an encouragement to not give up in the face of what appears to be overwhelming odds. It is a call to hope.
Today, as in Mark’s time, many people approach the future and change with fear and apprehension. As Christian people we are called to be optimistic and hopeful as we approach the future. We know that God is good, that God loves us unconditionally and that God has a dream for us. That is the simple basis of Christian hope.