BIBLE STUDY #20
THIRTY THIRD SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
NOVEMBER 14, 2010


Gospel        Luke 21:5-19


While some people were speaking about
how the temple was adorned with costly stones and votive offerings,
Jesus said, "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."


Then they asked him,
"Teacher, when will this happen?
And what sign will there be when all these things are about to happen?"
He answered,
"See that you not be deceived,
for many will come in my name, saying,
'I am he,’ and 'The time has come.’
Do not follow them!
When you hear of wars and insurrections,
do not be terrified; for such things must happen first,
but it will not immediately be the end."
Then he said to them,
"Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom.
There will be powerful earthquakes, famines, and plagues
from place to place;
and awesome sights and mighty signs will come from the sky.


"Before all this happens, however,
they will seize and persecute you,
they will hand you over to the synagogues and to prisons,
and they will have you led before kings and governors
because of my name.
It will lead to your giving testimony.
Remember, you are not to prepare your defense beforehand,
for I myself shall give you a wisdom in speaking
that all your adversaries will be powerless to resist or refute.
You will even be handed over by parents, brothers, relatives, and friends,
and they will put some of you to death.
You will be hated by all because of my name,
but not a hair on your head will be destroyed.
By your perseverance you will secure your lives."


The Gospel of the Lord

Reflection


The journey is finished; Jesus is in Jerusalem and will shortly undergo his passion, death and resurrection. Our gospel today is from a section called, “The Destruction of the Temple.” We need to put this passage in context to understand its meaning.


There is a certain cable TV station that has aired several programs concerning the Apocalypse, or in Greek ‘Parousia’, or more familiarly called the end times, the time when Jesus will come a second time and establish the Kingdom of God in its fullness. The writers of these shows use Scripture, the Mayan prophecies, Nostradamus, or any other source that will reinforce their theory that we are now in the end times.


Supposedly the writings of Nostradamus predict these end times. They Mayan prophecies state that the world as we know it will end on December21, 2012. There is a book called “The Bible Code” in which certain people, using computers, have found a secret code in the bible that predicts the future, such as the end times (among many other things).

Some times religious people use this idea to scare people into repentance and conversion I think the TV shows do it for ratings. Whatever the reason, it is a fascinating and widely popular topic.


It was just as popular in Jesus day. In the first decades of the Church, many believed that Jesus would come back in their lifetime. That was one reason why the gospels weren’t written down immediately: if Jesus was coming back soon, we need to get on the road and spread the Good News. Besides, there was no mass communication, people didn’t read, and it was an oral society, where history and customs were passed down by word of mouth. The easy way to get the Word out was by preaching in as many towns and villages as possible so as many people as possible could be converted.


By the time Luke’s gospel appeared in written form, Jesus had died and risen some 50 years earlier. It was written down to be used in worship, but also because the initial witnesses to the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus were beginning to die off, so they needed to preserve the testimony of these eyewitnesses. Also by the time of Luke’s gospel the Temple had been destroyed some 10 years earlier, and people began to realize that Jesus probably wasn’t coming back soon; they needed to be prepared for the long haul.


So today’s passage isn’t really about the end times, but persevering as disciples in the long term. Luke is more concerned about false messiahs and others who would lead the disciples astray as well as the persecution and suffering of disciples. Not only does Jesus tell us not to be led astray by these false prophets (and there were many claiming to be the Messiah, however falsely), he tells us that these wars and tumults must happen first, but that “The end will not be at once.”


Not only will there be wars, but there will also be famines, earthquakes, pestilences, terrors and great signs from heaven, as well as persecution. Many suffered and died in the persecutions of Nero in the 60’s. Many more suffered and died in the persecutions of Domitian in the 80’s.


Believers have been suffering and dying for the faith ever since. There have been all kinds of natural disasters and wars since then, but still Jesus hasn’t come back. Nor will Jesus tell us exactly.


The point is for us to persevere, not to be afraid, to resist temptation and sin, and to be hopeful in Christ. There have been thousands of martyrs over the centuries. Many have suffered greatly and were martyred for their faith. The Lord was with them and strengthened them in their trials and tribulations. He promises to be with us, even to giving us wisdom to witness in the face of great adversity


We are lucky in this country in that we have the freedom to practice our faith. But, did you know that there have been more martyrs for the faith in the last 40 years than in the first 200 years of Christianity? People are dying for their faith around the world today. Jesus is fulfilling his promise to strengthen and bless those who proclaim his Name.


We all undergo our own type of suffering and persecution, even if it isn’t as dramatic as martyrs. I have met many people who were very spirit filled and enthusiastic upon a renewal of faith or upon becoming catholic. Many of them stay with Christ for the long haul, and find their faith to be one of great comfort and consolation, the more so as time goes by.


There are many others who do fall by the wayside. As time goes on, they began to wither and fade and cast off their faith when times are difficult, often blaming God for being distant and not caring.


I think the difference is this: those who ask God “What can I do to repay you for all you have done for me” are the ones who succeed in their faith. These are the faithful stewards who are grateful for God’s blessings and try to share their faith with others. It could be difficult at times, it may involve persecution and suffering, but they keep going for the sake of the Name. Those who fail are the ones who say, “God, what can you do for me?”


No matter what happens, we should remember that God loves us and that Jesus paid the price for our sins. Jesus promises to be with us. He will guide us, send the Spirit to strengthen us, and be our rock of surety all through our lives.


All of this talk of the end times is irrelevant if we are not ready to meet God face to face. It doesn’t matter if Jesus comes tomorrow, December 21, 2012, or at any time in the future if we are not prepared by our own prayer and good works to face God and give an accounting of our lives. Those who are prepared don’t speculate on the end times because it doesn’t matter.


Fr. Phil