Jesus, in the gospel, responds to some people commenting about how the temple was adorned with costly stones and votive offerings, "all that you see here-the days will come when there will not be left a stone upon another stone that will not be thrown down."
In other words Jesus is wanting us to finally see things as they are.
How easily are we deceived? How easily we get distracted by the "costly stones and votive offerings" that decorate many places?
We forget the reality that is before us. We are blinded. Remember the old saying, "all that glitters is not gold."
This saying comes from the Merchant of Venice in which Shakespeare put these words in a scroll. The lady Portia is being courted by several men, and the one who picks the correct casket that contains her picture will get to marry her. There are three caskets: gold, silver and lead. The prince of Morocco chooses first; he chooses the gold casket.
On the inside he finds not a picture but a scroll that reads:
"all that glisters is not gold; often you have heard it told.
many a men his life hath sold; but my outside to behold;
gilded tombs do worms enfold;
had you been as wise as bold; young in limbs in judgment old;
your answer had not been enscrolled;
fare you well, your suit is cold."
Jesus reminds us in the gospel that:
"all that glisters is not gold; often have you heard it told... had you been as wise as bold."
Jesus invites us to wisdom to judge clearly and wisely for as the book of revelation reminds us the harvest is near, the sickles are raised and the vintage of the earth is about to be reaped.
May we see things as they really are and prepare ourselves for the harvest fall.
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