Earthquakes, famines

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.”

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Using an apocalyptic mo­tif, Jesus prepares his dis­ciples for the future and cautions them not to be terrified when they hear of wars and natural calami­ties. These are subsumed within the plan of God and “must happen” before the end (cf Dn 2:28). But these troubles will not be the completion of God’s work; they come before the ful­fillment. Jesus tells his disciples to face such fu­ture distress with complete trust in God.

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SOURCE: “365 Days with the Lord 2017” ST. PAULS Philippines, 7708 St. Paul Rd., SAV, Makati City (Phils.); Tel.: 895-9701; Fax 895-7328; E-mail: [email protected]; Web­site: http://www.stpauls.ph.