Mark 13:14-23

“When you see the disgusting and destructive thing standing where it shouldn’t be (the reader should understand this), then those in Judea must escape to the mountains. Those on the roof shouldn’t come down or enter their houses to grab anything. Those in the field shouldn’t come back to grab their clothes. How terrible it will be at that time for women who are pregnant and for women who are nursing their children. Pray that it doesn’t happen in winter. In those days there will be great suffering such as the world has never before seen and will never again see. If the Lord hadn’t shortened that time, no one would be rescued. But for the sake of the chosen ones, the ones whom God chose, he has cut short the time.

“Then if someone says to you, ‘Look, here’s the Christ,’ or ‘There he is,’ don’t believe it. False christs and false prophets will appear, and they will offer signs and wonders in order to deceive, if possible, those whom God has chosen. But you, watch out! I’ve told you everything ahead of time.

Mark 13:14-23, Common English Bible (c) 2011

“Be sure to pack an emergency kit,” the weather folk repeated over and over again in February.  If you must leave the house you should have blankets, food and bottled water in the car; winter boots and warm clothes, a flashlight, jumper cables and a shovel are also a good idea.  I sincerely hope that by the time you read this the snow has melted away, slick roads are but a memory, and there has been minimal flooding.

The admonition is, as every Scout knows, to be prepared.

Blizzard. Tornado. Flood. Earthquake. Tsunami. Hurricane. Fire. Volcanic eruption.

Be ready to flee.

Mark is probably not talking about natural disaster. The “disgusting and destructive thing” is likely to be related to the destruction of the temple near the time the gospel was written.

Nevertheless, sometimes the right action is leave.  As Kenny Rogers sings, “You’ve got to know when to hold them, know when to fold them, know when to walk away, and know when to run.”

-Teressa Clark, 2019

Lenten Reflections 2019:  Following Jesus from the Mount of Olives to the Tomb ~ Day 18