Listen

As Jesus left the temple, one of his disciples said to him, “Teacher, look! What awesome stones and buildings!”

Jesus responded, “Do you see these enormous buildings? Not even one stone will be left upon another. All will be demolished.”

Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives across from the temple. Peter, James, John, and Andrew asked him privately, “Tell us, when will these things happen? What sign will show that all these things are about to come to an end?”

Mark 13:1-4

Think

A few years ago, I visited a historic church in downtown Boston. They were raising several million dollars for a construction project, which would update their 300-year-old building and keep it safe for future generations. I sat and listened to a talk about the project, which ended with a time for audience questions. One person raised his hand. “I do have a question, actually,” he said. “How can you talk about ‘future generations’ when scientists are telling us that in fifty years, this entire neighborhood will be underwater?”

The room fell silent. The speaker spluttered and managed to steer the discussion back to the building project. But I still think about that question. Jesus warned us long ago: Nothing in this world, even an enormous stone building, is permanent. Sea levels rise. Species go extinct. Our bodies grow old and die. Our challenge as Christians is to care for the earth and one another now, in this impermanent life, in a way we can be proud of when we meet our God, who is eternal.

Catherine Healy

Question to Ponder:

What is your responsibility to future generations?

Pray

God, I know that nothing in this life is permanent. Help me not to be afraid of change, and give me the wisdom and courage to make the world better for future generations. Amen.

Go

If God is for us, who is against us?

Romans 8:31b