The Way
The Last Days, Seen from the Mount of Olives
Stones that will fall, and words that will never pass away
Story
As they were leaving the temple, one of the disciples stopped and marveled. Teacher, look. What enormous stones, and what magnificent buildings. The great stone walls blazed in the sunlight. But Jesus looked at those walls and spoke calmly. Not one stone here will be left on another. Every one will be thrown down.
Toward evening, Jesus sat on the Mount of Olives, facing the temple. Peter, James, John, and Andrew came to him quietly. When will these things happen? Jesus spoke of wars and earthquakes and famines. He told them of those who would lead people astray, and of the persecution to come. But whoever endures to the end will be saved.
About that day or hour no one knows, not the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. So stay awake. The stories of the wise bridesmaids who took oil along with their lamps, of the servant who made more from the talents entrusted to him, of those who gave food and drink to the least of these, drifted low over the darkening city.
Walk this scene on the map →His Words
Heaven and earth will one day pass away. But my words will remain to the end.
Keep alert and stay awake. You do not know when the time will come.
I tell you the truth: whatever you did for the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.
Do you see these great buildings? Not one stone here will be left on another. Every one will be thrown down.
The sayings are fresh renderings of the original meaning in today's language. Text: Mt 24:1–25:46 · Mk 13:1–37 · Lk 21:5–38
Background
The Temple, greatly expanded by Herod, was burned and destroyed in AD 70 by the Roman army under Titus. The Western Wall in Jerusalem today is part of the retaining wall that held up the Temple Mount.
Pause and Reflect
Is the Lord's promise to come again changing the way I live today?