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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.”
Reflection
The Church’s Liturgical Year is coming to a close and our Gospel presents us with a most unsettling scenario.
Jesus moves his listeners from a stance of awe at the Temple’s exquisite beauty to a description of its future utter obliteration. In addition to this annihilation of all its physical magnificence, its devastation would also affect their national pride and religious identity as God’s chosen people.
The magnitude of these losses also would be accompanied by wars, insurrections, earthquakes and famine and Jesus’ followers will also potentially face betrayal, persecution and death.
What comfort or reassurance would or could Jesus bring to this community? What could they hope for under these circumstances? And, what does he offer us, his present-day followers, when we face fearful situations? What is the hope that we hold?
The hope to which Jesus testifies in this passage is no trivial denial of the struggles, the pain and agony of human life, or the catastrophic forces of nature.
Jesus extends that hope as he invites us to pivot from a sole reliance on human strength in facing adversities to trusting in God’s love.
And we find that love is made manifest through Jesus’ abiding presence among us. That is the comfort and the reassurance we all seek and need. If we find ourselves doubting our ability to respond to events and powers that seem overwhelming or that are contradictory to what we believe, Jesus promised that we will faithfully bear witness to him.
His words “I myself shall give you a wisdom in speaking that all your adversaries will be powerless to resist or refute” are his commitment to us. He will gift us with hope and saving endurance to remain constant in our desire to remain committed to him, to be anchored to him.
Pope Leo XIV reminds us that “Christian hope is like an anchor that grounds our hearts in the promise of the Lord Jesus, who saved us by his death and resurrection and will come again among us.”
And our Mother Theodore Guerin reminds us that “Now from the very spot I say to you before God that there is nothing to fear and everything to hope.”
The Gospel acclamation that is read or chanted before the reading of today’s Gospel at Mass is “Stand erect and raise your heads because your redemption is at hand.”
If we were to continue reading the twenty-third chapter of Luke from which today’s Gospel is drawn, we would read that the Chapter ends with “And then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.. Stand erect and raise your heads because your redemption is at hand” (Lk 21:27-28). This promise is what can make us bold in our hope.
Action
Perhaps this week we can spend time with this “Prayer of Complete Trust”attributed to St. Francis de Sales:
Do not look forward to the changes and chances of this life with fear. Rather, look to them with full confidence that, as they arise, God to whom you belong will in his love enable you to profit by them. He has guided you thus far in life, do you but hold fast to his dear hand, and he will lead you safely through all trials. Whenever you cannot stand, he will carry you lovingly in his arms. Amen.
Originally from Philadelphia, Linda had a 25-year career as a navy nurse. She then served as a parish adult faith formation coordinator, an on-call hospital chaplain and a hospice bereavement specialist. A Providence Associate since 2007, Linda lives in San Clemente, California with her husband, Randy, and their 2 cats.
“Remember, you are not to prepare your defense beforehand. I myself shall give you a wisdom in speaking that all your adversaries will be powerless to resist or refute.” Jesus’ words remind me to take the time to listen to the wisdom that comes from Jesus, especially in these times. And Mother Theodore Guerin’s words meet us in the days we are living in.
“…I say to you before God that there is nothing to fear and everything to hope.”
Thank you, Linda.
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“Remember, you are not to prepare your defense beforehand. I myself shall give you a wisdom in speaking that all your adversaries will be powerless to resist or refute.” Jesus’ words remind me to take the time to listen to the wisdom that comes from Jesus, especially in these times. And Mother Theodore Guerin’s words meet us in the days we are living in.
“…I say to you before God that there is nothing to fear and everything to hope.”
Thank you, Linda.