In the Bible, harvesting and reaping are powerful symbols of the end-times, the completion of a process, or the ingathering of souls to God. We hear echoes of the gospels in that the harvest is ready. Revelation places Jesus in the role of the reaper, as he gathers both wheat and grapes. Again, this is not a cause for fear; it simply means that Jesus stands at the end of history and that all will be completed in him. We gather the fruits of our own lives as we grow older - wisdom, experiences, and spiritual growth. But the crop must be tended carefully along the way!

Jesus reflects on the destruction of the temple that took place in 70 AD. He warns people not to be led astray by many claiming to be Jesus. It will be a time of great upheaval, distress, and fear. Although it reflects the destruction of the Jewish War with Rome in 70 AD, we find echoes in the fear, violence, and insecurity of our own time. It is a call to remain faithful, rooted in the Lord, and persistent in our prayers and good works. Above all, we should not give in to the fear all around us. Ultimately, God is in charge. Whatever else happens, God does not change and God is always for us.