24-Nov-15

Gospel LK 21:5-11
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.”
Reflection:
Referring to the magnificent temple in Jerusalem, 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.”
Certainly, Jesus' prediction came true when the Romans leveled the temple to the ground in A.D.70, forty years after Christ's crucifixion.
Following his prediction about the destruction of the temple, Jesus began a discourse about the end of time and his returning to earth a second time.
Then they asked him, “Teacher, when will this happen?
And what sign will there be when all these things are about to happen?”
He tells 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.”
For thousands of years, Jesus' words have brought about fruitless speculation concerning the end of the world, most recently during the ushering in of the new millennium in the year 2000 fifteen years ago.
This speculation is a waste of time. We should accept the word of Jesus Christ on this when He tells us, "But about that day or hour no one knows, neither the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father."
It would be better for us to concentrate on what good we can do during our time on earth and leave the things of God to God.
"When I stand before God at the end of my life, I would hope that I would not have a single bit of talent left, and could say, 'I used everything you gave me." Erma Bombeck