The thirteenth chapter of Mark’s gospel is also known as the “little apocalypse.” I always laugh when I hear it called that. After all, isn’t a “little” apocalypse kind of like being a “little” pregnant? How can apocalyptic scenarios which destroy large chunks of human civilization and divine creation be deemed “little?”

The diminutive title for Mark 13 denotes its length, not the severity of consequences, measuring it against the “great” apocalyptic tome of Revelation. And yet, the “little” moniker also fits this chapter in another way. Although Mark has gathered together a number of Jesus’ words, warnings, and predictions into this singular long discourse, there runs throughout his dire descriptions a continuing cautionary note. The “little” apocalypse is as much about curtailing and con…