The destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem by two of the greatest Emperors in Roman History is mentioned offhandly by Jesus in this week’s Gospel. The event which happens after the account that we read isn’t treated as anything more than another horrendus and terrifying example of a world that is unable to recognize goodness and holiness. (You can read more about it here.)

The event though has sent all sorts of reverberations through history and the temple and the wanton acts of destruction of it and the city are still mourned to this day by God’s Chosen people. But the empire, in whose name the desecration was done, only survived a few centuries more. It was beaten down by the nations it had oppressed. And then a new empire arose, and it fell. And that happened again and again until our present day. Empires still arise and they will still fall.

Jesus is telling us in this teaching that God will ultimately put an end to all human empires and a new way of ordering our common lives will dawn among us. It’s already here for those who can perceive it. And his words bring us hope, even as the empires of our day begin to totter and fall.

You can view the sermon video directly here.