YOUR ENDURANCE WILL WIN YOU YOUR LIVES

XXXIII SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME - Luke 21:5-19

Through generations, there have been times when the expectancy of the end of the world has become prevalent, dominating the thought and the behaviour of people. The first generation of Christians went through such an experience, with their hearts on fire as they waited for the Second Coming of Jesus Christ for a final judgement, as He establishes his kingdom. A good number of Thessalonians became so caught up in such thinking that they stopped working and Paul had to give them a stern warning. We are living in similar times. Groups are announcing that the end of time is being ushered in. We are before an eminent cataclysm, due to ecological mismanagement. We are the only ones to blame for such a catastrophe. Henceforth, radical change is demanded and even imposed in an attempt to prevent the earth from changing.

This Sunday’s gospel helps to reflect upon the eschatological times, that is the end of times. The passage (Lk 21:5-19) begins with the announcement of the destruction of the temple. Where there is order and beauty, there will be chaos, violence and death. Jesus makes it clear that no human institution, even the most sacred one, can take the place of God. The Temple had become like an idol, a substitute for God, giving everybody a false sense of security. However, it will fall like an idol, unable to protect itself or anybody else. To the announcement of the destruction of the Temple, Jesus adds a warning. We must be on the alert not to follow false prophets or believe anyone who claims to be the Messiah. Indeed, there have been so many false messiahs, pointing a way for salvation.

Before wars, earthquakes, plagues and famine, many people think that the end of the world is at hand. Jesus tells us that it is not so: “do not be frightened, for this is something that must happen but the end is not so soon.” Time after time and generation after generation, humanity is confronted with all kinds of troubles: wars, pandemics, and cataclysms. The earth itself has gone through so many changes that we cannot expect to live on a changeless earth.

According to Jesus, his disciples must be sure that, while still on earth, they are going to be confronted with persecution. And that gives us the “opportunity to bear witness” to Jesus Christ. He will be with us and strengthen us to remain steadfast and faithful to him. Jesus does not hide what is in waiting for us: “You will be hated by all men on account of my name”. To remain faithful, we need resilience, sure that “Your endurance will win you your lives.”