THE WORD
FIRST READING: Mal 3,19-20
For the day is coming, blazing like an oven,
when all the arrogant and all evildoers will be stubble,
And the day that is coming will set them on fi re,
leaving them neither root nor branch,
says the LORD of hosts.
But for you who fear my name, the sun of justice
will arise with healing in its wings;
SECOND READING: 2 Thes 3,7-12
For 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.”
Jesus instructs us: “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
“Christianity can be a deadly commitment,” writes Judd Birdsall of the US State Department’s Ofice of International Religious Freedom on the International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church in 2013. It was the year when the Islamic State started their campaign of terror in Iraq and Syria, killing thousands of Christians along its path. We hear about Christian persecution also in India, countries of Africa, Europe, and even in the US.
The atrocities done to Christians are varied, long, and gross. With Jesus’ exhortation in today’s gospel, who would not think of the many sufferings our brothers and sisters in the faith have to bear simply because they are believers of Christ? This Sunday we are reminded to pray, not only for the deliverance of all Christians from evil attacks, but also for the defeat of the perpetrators of crime against religious freedom.
We hear Jesus in today’s gospel warn us about the destruction of the temple, of wars, earthquakes, of persecution and hatred towards His followers, not to frighten but, in fact, to strengthen, encourage and give us hope. Let not our fear of the end of the world, or the end of Christianity, drown the real Good News of survival and victory in what Jesus promises.
When Jesus spoke about the destruction of the temple, the symbol that represents the presence of God among the Jews, it was to give way to a new spiritual temple - the mystical body of Christ. That church, Jesus promised, no one can destroy; not even the gates of hell can overcome it.
It is obvious that Jesus would not exempt His followers from any tribulations. In fact, bearing the name of Christ makes them a target for persecution and hatred. Yet Jesus said, such would not yet be the end. He promised, instead, his presence and assistance. And should anybody attempt them any harm, their soul and spirit, in truth, remain unharmed. It is probably meant by losing one’s life for Christ sake, and in the end saving it.
At all times, we are to testify to and be witnesses of our Lord. Witnessing means not causing any harm or evil toward others, and assisting those who suffer. But should tribulations come our way, we witness by our patient endurance. That endurance comes from a firm trust that God suffers with us, and will let us through according to His good plan for us.
Already, we see this witnessing by Christians persecuted by Islamic militants. Archbishop Nicodemus Sharaf of the Syriac Orthodox Church in Mosul, Northern Iraq, is one among 10,000 Christians who ed the city when ISIS occupied Mosul. Neither church nor Christians now exist in that city. And yet in an interview with CBS news he said: “They take everything from us, but they cannot take the God from our hearts, they cannot.” Such is the persevering faith that endures.
- Fr. Emil Lim, SVD, | Saint Jude Catholic School, Manila
The Word in other words 2016
An annual project of Logos Publications, The WORD in Other Words Bible Diary contains daily scripture readings and reflections written by priest, brothers, and sisters of the three congregations founded by St. Arnold Janssen (the SVD, SSpS, and SSpSAP). It hopes to serve as a daily companion to readers who continually seek the correlation of the Word of God and human experience.
