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 the end 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 previous Gospel readings were about the coming of the Son of Man. Now it is about the destruction of the Temple and the end of the world. The two fateful events are intertwined.

Jesus talks to some people who are mesmerized by the beauty of the Temple. Who are they? Here they may not necessarily be the Pharisees or his disciples. But when they call him, “Teacher,” as they ask about the end, we come to know that they are his very own disciples. They are open to what he says.

So, Jesus gives them a long answer. He starts with a warning against false informers, then about wars, disasters, and terrifying signs in the skies. As part of the end, the authorities will persecute them for testifying to Jesus; their loved ones will betray them. Again, the theme of persistence comes at the last verse with the word “perseverance.”

We, disciples of Christ, must persevere in our faith against all odds. We should not compromise it.

In the First Reading, seeing the coming of Judgment Day, the prophet Malachi calls for the need to persevere in faith, expressed in “you who fear my name.”

The sun of justice will arise to us with his healing rays. In the Second Reading, Paul advises his readers to imitate him. This has nothing to do with him being self-conceited, but to have a proper attitude toward the coming of the Lord.

Like him, Christians should continue working and earning their keep and avoid depending on others for their daily needs. It is not a good sign to be lazy and live like parasites.