From the time of Christ until today—whether by Cross, imprisonment, local bussing issues, by way of movies, television shows, Hollywood humor or emails—mocking deeply held Christian beliefs, teachings and traditions has always been an acceptable form of persecution—and persecution is usually accompanied by predictions. Today’s gospel illustrates the connection between persecution, predictions and anxiety.

As I write this it is Election Day, and no matter what happens at the end of the day, tomorrow will bring a barrage of predictions about our future as a nation. Some will raise the “red” flag predicting stormy and rough seas ahead, others will sing the well-known campaign song “Happy Days Are Here Again.”

In this Sunday’s gospel, it is Jesus who makes a prediction: “All that you see here--the days will come when there will not be left a stone upon another stone that will not be thrown down.” And the result for some is anxiety and fear. Jesus was referring to the Temple built by Herod the Great and adorned with costly jewels and votive offerings. This Temple was built near the Mt. of Olives at Jerusalem and in the sight of the Gold Domed Muslim religious site. The people wanted to know when Jesus’ prediction would come about. Rather than announcing the date and time, Jesus offers to wipe away this anxiety with His hope for them: be prepared—yes, prepared!

The human condition will always enable persecutions to happen (in different ways we will be “brought before governors and kings or sent to prison because of His Name,” even today) but Jesus’ concern centers on all of us “making it through” these earthly upheavals and coming to the life that will not end—a life only He offers us.

In the gospel, Jesus says do not listen to the false voices of doom; rather listen to the Truth. He also tells us not to be terrified, for in the end God will make all things anew; and while Christ does not promise us a smooth journey in this life, He does promise a safe landing. And then we are told by the Christ to be prepared by living a virtuous life. We shall be prepared if and when we are working for eternal life by imitating Christ in being compassionate to those in need, by praying for our souls and those of others, and when we offer and seek forgiveness so that wounds are healed and not transformed into vengeance. In a Sunday homily some time ago I spoke of a tapestry that has been weaved by God—His divine plan for human salvation—and this tapestry which from our earthly vantage point shows itself as the back of the tapestry—all the disjointed and chaotic threads and patterns—a mess. When we view this tapestry from our Divine vantage point in heaven—after living a Christ-like life—we see the front and finished view of the tapestry—all the intricate details, the colors, the texture, the complete design, all its beauty. This is how we will come to understand and share the divine life in the Kingdom of Heaven. By being transformed into the likeness and image of God and in sharing in His Divine nature. We will possess and understand God’s love, compassion, wisdom and knowledge—to its fullest.

We are called to follow God, or Godly ways—in the living out of our lives here on earth. We are called to choose the righteous way, and not the convenient or easy way out of a situation or
circumstance. We are called to answer that far-too-often-quoted question: What Would Jesus Do? And then do it. While this is not easy, and is in fact difficult at times, it is the way to the Kingdom.

If the election might show us one thing, no matter the party we belong to or the side of the aisle on which we are seated, no matter our station in life—rich, poor, powerful, working class—it is the virtue of humility that leads us to God the Father. For in the eternal end, it is our right relationship with God—He is the Creator, we the created, which carries us to the gates of the Kingdom. Amen!