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November 16. Pentecost 23

1 Samuel 1:4-20. Hannah prays for a son.
1 Samuel 2:1-10 Hannah's song.
Hebrews 10:11-14, 19-25.  The one sacrifice has made us perfect forever.
Mark 13:1-8 The signs of the end of the age. The little apocalypse.

This is the last reading in Mark's gospel for the year and with its theme of hope anticipates the beginning of Advent on the 30th November.  The debates concluded, Jesus is leaving the Temple when a chance remark by a disciple leads him to speak of the coming catastrophe that will leave the Temple derelict.  Further conversation with the disciples leads Jesus to speak of the end of the Age - a turbulent and destructive time but only as a prelude to new beginnings.  "These are the beginning of the birth pangs."(v8)
We are more comfortable with permanence, placing our security in things that endure, that are not subject to decay or deterioration. We feel threatened when structures that we cherish are challenged or swept away. What hope could there be for the Jewish community when its central icon was a pile of ruins! What cherished icons of our faith tradition or practice would we find it most difficult to lose?

Worth reflecting on the power to hold on to the hope of a new beginning. This can be difficult in the face of criticism and accusations of unreality and fantasising.
Finding our own way to say to people "Do not be alarmed" (v7) can be difficult. In the midst of their suffering how can we hold out hope for them without sounding like we are saying "Don't worry, be happy!"
Hope can be challenged by a number of things; not least those who purport to speak in the name of Christ.  How do we hear the voice of Christ in turbulent times? How does panic push us to grasp at any solution or listen to any voice that claims to speak in the name of Christ just because it seems to be loud and authoritative?

Also the temptation to be swayed and overwhelmed by the upheaval of the events themselves and simply despair.  Most of us know little of the grim realities that Jesus speaks of.  The media ensures that we know about rumours of wars but even the most vivid presentation still insulates us from the reality.  Yet we still find ourselves suffering from compassion fatigue.
The story and song of Hannah which are the readings from the Hebrew Scriptures form a powerful connection with the gospel reading.  Hannah's hope for a child had been shattered so many times - but her prayer and hope held her - prayer and longing so deep that words could not carry it. (1 Sam 1:13).  Her song of jubilation (2:1-10) speaks of God as the only Rock, the only constant.  All other systems and structures are provisional and impermanent. In words reminiscent of the Magnificat, Hannah speaks of justice for the poor - the great reversal. This hope she carries as deeply as her hope for a child.

"Hope we must carry, shining and certain
through all our turmoil, terror and loss,
bonding us gladly, one to the other,
till our world changes, facing the cross." 

-Shirley Murray-

Meditations:

Mark 13:1-8
 
Their minds were fixed
on the temporal
the here and now
and talk of Temple destruction
alarmed them
Keen for specifics
they were unprepared
for your answer
grappling to understand
the pictures you painted
Today little seems to have changed
The world still moves
its inhabitants still fight
still the question
How long, Lord, how long?
Help us hang on
when darkness clouds our vision
Steady fearful hearts
with words of strength
Let hope on phoenix wings
rise from the ashes
of lives torn and bleak
so that we can face the future
knowing that you hold it
and that we are by your side

(c) Anna Johnstone