THE WORD
Dn 2: 31–45 / 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
The end will come as certain as the dawn. As to when, Jesus said it is the Father’s business and not ours to worry about. But we have to prepare for this event not with fearful and trembling hearts but with joyful expectation.
God is faithful to his people and his faithfulness is without end. And in the plan of God, he has prepared a kingdom for his people.
God loves his people and his love is without end. His love lasts even when they turn away from him. Man’s disobedience has disfigured creation. His pride has led him to worship many idols, including himself. Man’s sins have caused so much suffering in the world. But although man has strayed from God, the love of God for man remains beyond our understanding. He will send his Son to us, and God’s mercy and love will triumph in the end.
God is faithful even if his people are not. He will save his people not by the power of his mighty hand but by his love which he has made manifest in Jesus.
The change will come from within us. Like a mustard seed, from its small beginning the Kingdom will grow until everything is filled with it.
Then the prophecy will be fulfilled, “There will not be left a stone upon another that will not be thrown down.” The monuments of the idols of man will be conquered by God’s faithfulness and love. There will be a new heaven and a new earth, for the old has passed away. Then God will dwell among his beloved people. And God is finally home.
- Herman Suico, SVD (Zamboanga, Sibugay)
The Word in other words 2015
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.
