Tuesday, XXXIV Week of Ordinary Time
(Luke 21:5-11)
The poem “Ozymandias” tells the story of finding a statue of an ancient Egpytian king. The statue sits in the desert shattered from top to bottom. Ironically there is a sign on part of the statue informing its viewer that this is a representation of the mighty “king of kings” Ozymandias. The poem reminds the reader that the greatest works as well as the greatest people are all time-bound. They do not last for centuries, much less until the end of time.
In the gospel Jesus relates to us the same prophetic message. People gaze starry-eyed at the wonders of the Temple, but Jesus tells them not to be impressed. The Temple, he says, will fall as it indeed did barely a generation after his death. Jesus also warns his disciples not to follow unreservedly the great personages who may claim to be him or like him. These men and women will also pass away.
We Christians give our allegiance to God alone. As the psalms tell us, his law is eternal and so we follow it. Yes, we try to make of the earth the best possible place to live. But our purpose here is not to become complacent. No, we want a friendly environment in the world so that we might come to know and love God more.
