November 16 2025 Sermon
Today’s gospel passage offers a vital important word for us. A word of warning, of opportunity and of promise. It is a word that, if we allow it, will expose the inner workings of our minds, our hearts, our souls. The word, which comes from the mouth of Jesus, is spoken from an apocalyptic perspective. The Greek word apocalypsis literally means to unveil something and thus to reveal its true form and colours. Jesus prophesied
The destruction of the temple. This structure was enormous, covering an area of approximately 35-37 acres (14.4 hectares). The walls were a staggering 158 feet high, with one of the largest stones weighing over 100 tons. The height of the temple building itself is estimated to have been about 100 cubits, or around 45 meters (150 feet). The temple was the spiritual, cultural and economic centre of Jerusalem. It is hard for us to imagine the extent of the impact on the lives of all who lived in Jerusalem. But I don’t think it is our task to imagine that historical event which did come to pass a generation after Jesus’ death and resurrection. I think our task is to recognize and acknowledge that there is much to be unveiled, revealed in our day and in our lives.
Pastoral experience tells me that all of us have experienced external events that have unveiled, revealed something that is true about ourselves.
One reliable source of unveiling comes through loss and change. We are understandably devastated to lose something that is central to our lives, a job, a loved one, our physical health, our spiritual community, a mentor or guide.
Future loss and change faces us all. In eight days, for the first time in many years I will not have a job to go to. My future entails finding a new community of faith with which to gather as I leave St. Barnabas so that Father Wojtek has the time and space necessary to grow into the role of your priest.
In such times of loss and change some will be bewildered, hiding or walking away leaving a permanent hole in their life, some will cling to their memories of the past unable or unwilling to embrace the present much less future opportunities that will look different than the past.
Many will look outside of themselves for answers. Jesus warns against this.
“Beware that you are not led astray; for many will come in my name and say, ‘I am he!’ and, ‘The time is near!’ Do not go after them. People will run after all sorts of people, products, promises that they hope will protect them.
But what Jesus would have us do is to trust in God’s providential hand. The earliest disciples, who heard this story from Jesus’ mouth, watched Jesus himself be torn down, seemingly destroyed, dying on a wooden cross trusting in God’s providential hand even when there was no immediate evidence of God’s presence. Of course, we know the evidence came as Jesus rose up triumphant from the grave, raised up so that death had no power over him.
Jesus foretells of other difficulties for his followers, they we in fact rejected for their faith, actively hated and persecuted. They were afforded opportunities to testify to the good news of Jesus. Not with well-rehearsed carefully scripted defenses but a spirit led response that bore witness to God’s saving work even in the midst of strife and trial.
We have these words of the gospel because over the two millenia since they were recorded individuals and faith communities have born witness to God’s redeeming and reconciling work through good times and even in the midst of strife and trial. They have tended their own faith and the faith of those around them, they have reached out into a world with the good news. That task falls to us this day and throughout our lives.
Many would have us believe that we need seek protection, someone or something that can keep us safe and secure. But today’s gospel calls us to put our trust in Jesus. We open ourselves to the gift of greater faith and trust by spending time with in prayer and contemplation, by frequent reception of the Blessed Sacrament, by breaking open sacred scripture, and by offering ourselves in service to others even when we do not feel like doing so. Jesus tells us that by such endurance you will gain your souls.