Tuesday of the 34th Week in
Ordinary Time - Luke 21:5-11
Today’s Gospel begins with people
commenting on the adornments of the temple and votive offerings. After
hearing their words, Jesus makes a statement that must have been unsettling to
his listeners. He said: “All that you see here, the days will come when
there will not be left stone upon stone upon another stone. All of the
stones will be thrown down.”
Naturally, his disciples said:
“When will this happen? What signs can we look for so we will be
prepared?” Jesus then tells his disciples to “beware.” He says:
“Many people will come and try to deceive you, saying ‘I am he’ or ‘The time
has come.’ However, do not follow them.” Jesus also predicts “one
nation will rise against another nation. And there will be earthquakes,
famines, and plagues.”
Jesus’ description sounds like the
state of our world today. Nations are at war. Men and women are
starving and living in destitution. Everyday women, men, and children are
abused physically, sexually, and emotionally. Numerous people are killed on the
streets. And as we well know, the United States is not an
exception. Yet we claim to be civilized, a “first world country.”
Today Jesus encourages us to “seek
what will last,” to seek what is good and loving. If each one of us did
this, we might change our hearts, our country and perhaps our world. What
will we choose today? Will we simply maintain the status quo?
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