Mark 13: 1-8, 24-37
Nothing in life is as
certain as death and taxes.
The first time this analogy
was used was by Daniel Defoe, in The Political History of the Devil, 1726:
"Things as certain
as death and taxes, can be more firmly believed."
Benjamin Franklin
(1706-90) used the form we are currently more familiar with, in a letter to
Jean-Baptiste Leroy, 1789, which was re-printed in The Works of Benjamin
Franklin, 1817:
"In this world
nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes."
One of my favourite
programmes is 24 Hours in A & E – not actually for the injuries but for the
stories of life and love; I especially like the talking heads of the doctors
and nurses:
“No one expects it’s going to happen to them; you don’t have your breakfast, say goodbye and expect anything other than going to work and coming home again at the end of the day. If any of us knew what else would happen in that day, we would do more, say more, be more; it is really important that the last words your loved ones hear from you is “I love you” (24 hours in A&E) we all need to know we are loved”.
Jesus knew that the end
was in sight for him; he knew of the inevitability of it all; he knew it was
coming, and he dreaded it. The disciples, arriving as they were to Jerusalem
were overwhelmed by the magnificent buildings, the scale and size of it all;
the hustle and bustle; the atmosphere – everything that was assailing their
senses.
When Mark wrote those
words down, he was most likely living in Rome, witnessing growing persecution
of Christians, and the destruction of the Temple itself was soon to happen.
When Mark wrote these
memories down, he and the disciples anticipated that impending destruction to
be a sign that things were about to happen; that Jesus would return as soon as
the temple was destroyed and that threat was the first, biggest sign of the end
of the age. The expectation was high, tangible, senses were heightened.
Jesus was explicit: or
was he?!
I think the only explicit
thing said in this passage is verse 32: “about that day or hour no one knows,
not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father”
And that applies to
everything.
Life and death
The world as it is and
the world as it may be
We do not know; we cannot
know.
Ok.
So what do we know?
What do we know about
what awaits us?
Back to Ben Franklin –
nothing is certain but death and taxes
Or, to our friend in 24 Hours: let those you love know that they are loved. The final words anyone wants
to hear are, “I love you”
It is important to
remember the context in which the gospels were written; the initial audience;
the passage of time since and that while we may not know when or how this world
will end; we do know that our own worlds will end one day.
Those of you who have
been using the study guide for Lent, will this week have been contemplating
that very thing. And the question – how can we be sure to be ready for whatever
life throws at us?
When I have the privilege
of talking with someone who has a terminal diagnosis there is a difference in
the conversation. There is no need to talk about the weather or sport or the
garden… the talk is more focused – we do not necessarily talk about what will
come – for we do not know, we cannot know.
But we do talk about the
important things – life and love; achievements and the small triumphs that have
given purpose to life.
There may also be
reflection on regrets; things left undone; hopes dashed – dreams unfulfilled.
Some may worry about
their loved ones, about what life will be like for them afterwards.
Others spend a deal of
energy making sure that the ones they love are prepared – teaching skills,
sharing instructions, encouraging experiences, creating memories to sustain
and strengthen. Finding friends and
creating support networks…
What if we are not
prepared though? What if there is no warning? Because that happens too; the
accident; the sudden catastrophic illness; the unexpected event. What can we
do? How can we be ready for that eventuality?
Well, actually, we may
not know exactly when – but we do know that as sure as we are born, we will one
day die.
Be ready!
Relationships die when
the love goes
Life loses its shine when
it loses purpose…
So do something!
Tell the ones you love
how you feel.
Do the things which
fulfil and excite you; fill your life with good things, good people and good experiences.
What lies ahead?
Who knows?
What will you do with the
rest of your life?
Well that’s up to you,
but maybe what we each need to do is to tell the people we love that we love
them.
Tell those whose work,
whose efforts, whose kindness we appreciate that we value and appreciate them. Tell
them!
Tell them today!
Because who knows what tomorrow
will bring?
