THE WORD
Rev 14,14-19 / 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.
IN OTHER WORDS
Today’s readings refer to the end times. Now and then we hear a warning about the approaching horror with a matching date, such as, May 28, 1978 or the year 2000. Needless to say it never occurred.
Time and history show varied attitudes towards the much-deplored end times. For the early Christian communities, the concept was that of a happy expectation. The believers looked forward to an immediate coming, an almost joyful feast of yearning!
But in the modern era, the world has seen it as a catastrophic smashing of planets and meteors, the unimaginable destruction of the universe.
However as I grow in my spiritual journey, I see God as a most loving Creator, who cannot ever contradict the Beauty that He is. Through the years He has given me a way to attain a fuller understanding His love for the human race.
The book of Genesis declares that everything He created is good. The book of Revelation uncovers the promise of a new heaven and a new earth. The world will be transformed into its perfection at the end of time. The more important focus should be on how much trust we give God, the source of life. In the midst of our doubts and apprehensions, we must always recall how He went to the extent of sending His Only Son to save us.
The best is yet to come as long as we live our lives toward the goal of union with His plans for each of us. We must see the world through the eyes of a love that supersedes all the darkness in and around us. Our obedience to His will makes the end times a celebration of God’s triumph over all that is evil.
- Fr. Titus Mananzan, SVD | Dampalit, Malabon City
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.
