As we come toward the last week of the liturgical year, we see Jesus coming to the end of his public ministry. Jesus now presents a warning. He contrasts the beauty of the Temple and the sturdiness of its stones with the Temple's imminent downfall. Even this building, with all its splendor, will not last.

Yet Jesus is speaking about more than just the destruction of the Temple. He paints a picture of human conflicts and natural disasters that will come before the end of time. As we await this end, we are to believe that the real Messiah, the Christ, will indeed come again.

The reading from Revelation describes this end time with symbols. The images of sickles, God's wrath and the flow of blood can be quite disturbing. They grab our attention. They serve to remind us that Jesus, the Son of Man, will come again. Whether personal, communal or both, we will experience judgment.

How are we to react to this? We are invited not to be afraid. Rather, we are called to allow that judgment to encourage us to love generously today.

Before Christ comes again is there anything I would like to reconcile - with Christ or with others?