Mk 13, 14-23 When you see the desolating abomination

(Mk 13, 14-23) When you see the desolating abomination

[14] "When you see the desolating abomination standing where he should not (let the reader understand), then those in Judea must flee to the mountains, [15] (and) a person on a housetop must not go down or enter to get anything out of his house, [16] and a person in a field must not return to get his cloak. [17] Woe to pregnant women and nursing mothers in those days. [18] Pray that this does not happen in winter. [19] For those times will have tribulation such as has not been since the beginning of God's creation until now, nor ever will be. [20] If the Lord had not shortened those days, no one would be saved; but for the sake of the elect whom he chose, he did shorten the days. [21] If anyone says to you then, 'Look, here is the Messiah! Look, there he is!' do not believe it. [22] False messiahs and false prophets will arise and will perform signs and wonders in order to mislead, if that were possible, the elect. [23] Be watchful! I have told it all to you beforehand.

(CCC 673) Since the Ascension Christ's coming in glory has been imminent (Cf. Rev 22:20), even though "it is not for you to know times or seasons which the Father has fixed by his own authority" (Acts 1:7; Cf. Mk 13:32). This eschatological coming could be accomplished at any moment, even if both it and the final trial that will precede it are "delayed" (Cf. Mt 24:44; 1 Th 5:2; 2 Th 2:3-12). (CCC 671) Though already present in his Church, Christ's reign is nevertheless yet to be fulfilled "with power and great glory" by the King's return to earth (Lk 21:27; cf. Mt 25:31). This reign is still under attack by the evil powers, even though they have been defeated definitively by Christ's Passover (Cf. 2 Th 2:7). Until everything is subject to him, "until there be realized new heavens and a new earth in which justice dwells, the pilgrim Church, in her sacraments and institutions, which belong to this present age, carries the mark of this world which will pass, and she herself takes her place among the creatures which groan and travail yet and await the revelation of the sons of God" (LG 48 § 3; cf. 2 Pt 3:13; Rom 8:19-22; 1 Cor 15:28). That is why Christians pray, above all in the Eucharist, to hasten Christ's return by saying to him (Cf. 1 Cor 11:26; 2 Pt 3:11-12): Marana tha! "Our Lord, come!" (1 Cor 16:22; Rev 22:17, 20).