33rd Sunday of Ordinary Time – The Signs of the End (Lk 21: 5-19)

The Signs of the End (Lk 21: 5-19)

Introduction

- End of the world is a fascinating topic for centuries.

- We have literatures and movies on that topic. We use this in our daily conversation.

- I was talking with a friend about the fight of Manny with Margarito. And we asked the question what if Manny fails (we are sure that it will not happen). The friend told “that is not the end of the world. He has to go on”.

Content

- Jesus mentions four things in the gospel

1. The day of the Lord.

o Jews divided the time into two, the present and the future. Suffering and tribulations are the common experience of the Jews during present. In the future God would establish His Kingdom “the Heavenly Jerusalem”. Jesus also agreed to this idea but brought the concept of “last judgment” before the heavenly bliss.

2. Prophecy on the destruction of the temple

o The pride of Jews was the Jerusalem Temple. The presence of God was filled in the Temple.

o In AD 70 the Romans destroyed the temple.

o Jesus teaches us that he is the new temple that cannot be destroyed by any enemy. We are brought together because of the body and blood that unites us always and no enemy could destroy it till now. The prophecy of Jesus is perfectly right.

3. Second coming of Jesus Christ

o The second coming has two dimensions. The first is that which happens at the end of the world. The time of the occurrence is not even known to Jesus as per his words. The second dimension is personal, that is going to happen in my life, may be in 50 years.

o Preparedness is the key world when we think of the second coming of Jesus. We should always be prepared to meet him at moment of life.

4. Idea of persecution

o Jesus is honest to his disciples and offers persecution to his disciples. It is unlike those pragmatic politicians and other world leaders.

o Jesus also assured us the assistance of the Spirit. “You will not be left alone”.

o As St. Paul says, ‘if God is with me why should I fear’.

o The history of martyrs and saints reveals the assistance of Spirit all the time with us.

Conclusion

- Let us gather in the new temple “the body and blood of Christ”

- Let us see the things (past, present and future) through the eyes of God who prophesized the destruction of the Temple.

- Let us expect the sufferings in our life and take it for the Kingdom of God.

- Let us see the presence of Spirit in our lives always.