First reading: Mal. 3:19–20a

Lo, the day is coming, blazing like an oven, when all the proud and all evildoers will be stubble, and the day that is coming will set them on fire, leaving them neither root nor branch, says the LORD of hosts. But for you who fear my name, there will arise the sun of justice with its healing rays.

Second reading: 2 Thes. 3:7–12

Brothers and sisters: You know how one must imitate us. For we did not act in a disorderly way among you, nor did we eat food received free from anyone. On the contrary, in toil and drudgery, night and day we worked, so as not to burden any of you. Not that we do not have the right. Rather, we wanted to present ourselves as a model for you, so that you might imitate us. In fact, when we were with you, we instructed you that if anyone was unwilling to work, neither should that one eat. We hear that some are conducting themselves among you in a disorderly way, by not keeping busy but minding the business of others. Such people we instruct and urge in the Lord Jesus Christ to work quietly and to eat their own food.

Gospel: Lk. 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 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.”

In other words

by Fr. Antonio Pernia, SVD (Divine Word Institute of Mission Studies, Tagaytay City)

Harsh words in today’s Gospel reading. The approaching end of the liturgical year offers the Church the opportunity to remind us of the reality of the end time. What will happen at the end of history, when the world as we know it comes to an end?

In this regard, the evangelist warns us of three dangers. First, the danger of allowing ourselves to be fascinated by the present, like the disciples charmed and enchanted by the temple “adorned with costly stones and votive offerings.” But Jesus disenchants them. Of the temple “there will not be left a stone upon another stone that will not be thrown down.” Nothing is permanent; everything passes except that which is truly definitive.

Second, the danger of allowing ourselves to be deceived by the prophets of doom who proclaim a looming catastrophe as the end. But Jesus says, “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.”

And third, the danger of allowing ourselves to become tired and weary of waiting for the return of the Lord, and eventually lose all hope for the future. The antidote for these three dangers is the same: not to fantasize about the questions of when and how the Lord will come, but rather to seek to be vigilant, alert, and ready-indeed, to be excited and expectant about the coming of the Lord.

Before the end, however, there will be a time of persecution and suffering for the followers of Jesus. “Before all this happens, they will seize and persecute you; they will hand you over to the synagogues and to prisons…” But this time of persecution and suffering will be an opportunity for giving witness to the Lord: “It will lead to your giving testimony.” And yet, in all this, “not a hair on your head will be destroyed. By your perseverance you will secure your lives.” 

The end of the world will coincide with the second coming of Jesus as the Messiah. The end will not be a catastrophe, but will be the “Parousia” or the Second Coming of the Lord, when he returns in glory. And this will bring the world to its intended end or destination. The end will not be the total destruction, but the final fulfillment of the world. It will not be disaster but salvation, not woe but welfare (see Jer. 28:11). The end will be a reunion with Jesus, our master an May we always keep our hearts afire with the excitement of the Lords return in glory. “Maranatha”—come, Lord Jesus, come!