Thirty-third Sunday of Ordinary Time (C) [Lk 21:5-19]
13.11.2022
Signs
and Persecutions before the Destruction of
1. Theme in brief
Facing fears and
persecution with patient endurance
2. Focus Statement
The Lord invites us to face our
fears about the end of our life or end of the world, and about persecution for
following him, with patient endurance, since they provide opportunities for us
to bear witness to him.
3. Explanation of
the text
Today’s gospel text can be divided
into three parts: (1) Jesus’ prediction about the destruction of the
In the first part of today’s gospel, when some people wondered at the beauty and majesty of the Temple of Jerusalem, Jesus asked them not to focus their total attention on “these things that you see” (21:6). Though it is not clear on what exactly they should focus their attention, we can guess that Jesus wanted them to focus their attention not on the building but on the poor. We can deduce this from the fact that he had observed just a little while ago – a poor widow putting all the money she had into the Temple’s treasury (21:1-4). At the same time he was also predicting about the impending destruction of the Temple (21:6). His prophecy would be fulfilled in a few decades, in 70 A.D., when the Romans would destroy the Temple as a punishment for Jewish rebellion (spearheaded by the Zealots). Probably he desired to draw their attention to the spiritual decay, hypocrisy and oppression of the religious authorities behind external adornment of the Temple.
Further, Jesus seems to use this prediction to instruct his disciples about the impermanence of human achievements, structures (including places of worship) and possessions (21:5-6). From his pronouncements that follow (21:9-11), it is clear that he connected the impending fall of the Temple at the hands of Romans to the end of the world. When people asked him about the exact time of the end, he indicated the futility of such calculations (21:7). Instead of asking “when” the world would end, he wanted them to focus on “how” they should prepare themselves to face the end. He warned them of bogus messiahs and false prophets who might take advantage of the fear psychosis generated in the minds of people due to the unknown and uncertain future (end of the world). He cautioned them not to be led astray by the false promises of fake prophets (21:8). He gave three signs for which they must watch out: false prophets, political chaos and natural disasters (21:8-11).
In the second part of today’s gospel Jesus speaks about
the “dreadful
portents and great signs” (21:11). They are presented in a literary
form called ‘apocalyptic literature.’ The language used in this piece of
literature regarding man-made or natural calamities and political upheaval
(21:9-11) is not to be taken in literal sense. These signs are meant to tell
the disciples that they should firmly trust in God even in the greatest trials
and the most challenging circumstances. Even in these terrifying situations the
disciples are not to be afraid (21:9), with the firm trust that God is present
even amidst these trials.
Finally, in the third part, Jesus spoke about the persecutions that would precede the end-time, and the opportunities offered to his disciples to bear witness before their persecutors in such situations. He instructed them that persecutions were not a time to be busy in blaming the persecutors, but they provided “an opportunity to testify” before the world (21:13). Jesus himself would provide strength and wisdom for such testimony (21:15). Jesus assured them of God’s faithfulness even in the midst of arrests, persecution, trials before government authorities, betrayal by family and friends, hatred on account of his name and even execution (21:12-19). The fate of the Master was going to be the fate of the disciples – as he was brought before Herod and Pilate, they too would be brought before kings and governors of the world for judgement (21:12). At that time the disciples need not become frantic and anxious about what to say. He assured them of divine wisdom as to what they should speak. He put his assurance of ultimate protection by God in symbolic language: “not a hair of your head will perish” (21:18). In spite of severe persecution and the possibility of facing death, they were called to persevere in their loyalty to his teachings till the end, and, thus gain their souls by their patient endurance (21:19).
4. Application to
life
As the Liturgical Year comes to an end, the Church, by prescribing today’s gospel text, invites us to look beyond our immediate worries, interests and earthly concerns and reflect on the end of this world or the end of our own life. Immersed or engrossed in worldly affairs, we often fail to look beyond the immediate here-and-now. We forget that we are only exiles and wayfarers on this earth. We forget that as we get older and older, life becomes shorter and shorter for us, and we are drawing nearer and nearer to our ultimate home in heaven. Though many classical preachers have said, “Always live as though each day may be your last,” we forget about that issue as we are immersed in our daily tasks. Today’s gospel invites us to give a serious thought to the end of our life on earth or the end of the world, and the approach of the day of judgement for us sooner or later.
This thought should fill us not with sorrow or despair, but with a longing and hope to be with Christ for ever. It impels us to think of the impermanence of our possessions and life itself. Just as the beautiful Temple of Jerusalem was destroyed by the invading Romans, so also all our latest marvels in technology and architecture will pass away. The Jews used to admire the external beauty and majesty of their Temple till it was destroyed. This reminds us not to be too busy in building and admiring our magnificent churches and cathedrals, but put our trust in the Lord, who alone is our strength and salvation. The more we reflect on the frailty of all man-made structures, the more we become conscious of our false sense of security in them. The shortness of our life here on earth should make us wonder why we should be so attached to material things, and why should we put our total trust and security on human structures – however essential they may be. If everything is passing and nothing in this world is permanent, then what is permanent? Only our life with God and the love with which we live is permanent.
The warning given by Jesus not to be led astray by false prophets is valid even today, because there is no dearth of preachers, teachers and religious sects who ‘exactly’ predict the end of the world – though Jesus himself has purposely kept the exact time of the world’s end uncertain in order to keep us ready and prepared to meet the end at any time. Our modern prophets of doom issue threats and warnings in God’s name about catastrophes that may befall the world. Whenever a disaster strikes like terrorist attacks or natural calamities, some of these ‘false prophets’ put the blame on moral permissiveness of our society, its godlessness and corrupt ways. Besides, we have other modern ‘messiahs’ such as politicians who claim to solve our main problems if we vote for them, and also so many enticing advertisements that promise to give us trouble-free life and work. Each one says, “I know your problem and have the best solution” to his or her own advantage. Jesus cautions us not to go after these false saviours, and their propaganda which could be full of half-truths. He admonishes us to be so shrewd that we are not led astray.
Just as the thought of “the dreadful portents and great signs” (21:11) that will precede the end of the world, mentioned in today’s gospel (21:9-11) frightens us, so also the news of international terrorism, civil wars, nuclear threat, riots and the increasing natural calamities (like floods, earthquakes, cyclones and tsunamis) caused by global warming and environmental degradation in modern times continue to frighten us. In spite of all our capabilities and achievements, in spite of tightest security measures taken by our Governments, our life is so fragile that it can be snuffed out at any time. This possibility creates a tremendous fear psychosis in many of us. The fear of dreaded sicknesses, misfortunes, calamities, sudden death and the uncertainty of unknown future make many people vulnerable to the trap laid by so many false prophets such as fake faith-healers, godmen and witch-doctors who claim mysterious powers to alleviate these miseries. It also leads to superstitious beliefs in witchcraft and sorcery in some societies resulting in the persecution of mostly innocent women (sometimes men also) who are branded as witches or sorcerers.
But Jesus assures us, though cosmic tumult and made-made as well as natural calamities may shake us, they can neither ultimately control us nor harm us, since God is in control. Surely, his love is stronger than all these forces. Though the world may not end on the dates fixed by prophets of doom, no doubt social and political upheavals as well us natural calamities are like ‘red signals’ for us to end our own ‘little worlds’ – the world of selfishness, the world of materialism, the world of secularisation, the world of ‘godlessness.’ The question is not when exactly the world will end, but when and how can we end these ‘little worlds’ inside us and prepare ourselves for the real end of the world or end of our life by creating a world of sharing, caring, peace-making and building up communities. When we allow our fears, worries and anxieties (often baseless ones) to become our masters, we can become either highly depressed or an easy prey to false prophets (such as fake godmen and witch-doctors) who claim to free us from our physical pain and mental tension. When we permit our fears and anxieties to take control of us, they become our masters and we become subservient to them. We forget that God is our Master and our destiny is in his hands. Therefore, every day we need to train our minds with God’s grace to make our fears our servant, not our master. Jesus tells us not to be terrified as if fears were greater than his power (21:9).
Jesus’ instruction to face all the persecution that may come on us because of his name with patient endurance should lead us to regret for the times we withdrew our good work or service for the poor out of impatience, wavering, panic, over-anxiety and fear. Endurance is just the opposite of all these things. Our endurance till the end comes from relying fully not on our own human resources but on trusting in God, trusting in his promise that he will be with us in the midst of our suffering and give us divine wisdom to say what we should at that time. Thus, instead of promising us a trouble-free and comfortable discipleship, Jesus offers us spiritual resources to cope with persecutions and catastrophes. St. Paul says: "We also boast in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not disappoint us, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us" (Rom 5:3-5).
Due to the lack of
endurance, we may have lost wonderful opportunities provided by the Lord in the past
to bear
witness to his name and failed to hold on to his values firmly and
patiently when they were opposed, or when we were betrayed even by our own kith
and kin. In some parts of the world, we observe the false propaganda and hate campaign
created by certain groups who feel threatened by the Church’s missionary
services to the poor and the downtrodden (in the fields of education, health
care, human rights and social justice). Those who are opposed to this type of empowerment
of the poor and the marginalized try to stop such services by intimidating or
attacking missionaries and their beneficiaries. Our reflection on the assurance
of Jesus that our future is in God’s hands, and nothing will happen to us
outside his design, should move us to go on doing what we can to alleviate the misery of the world,
instead of just blaming others for it. We are called to patiently endure in loyalty to
his values until the end.
5. Response to God's Word
Does the thought about the shortness of our lives make us realize the foolishness and illusion of relying on human structures and capabilities? Are we convinced that God is on our side even in most painful situations? Do we persevere in our good work when there is opposition and criticism? Are we indifferent to problems of unemployment, accidents, bereavements, broken relationships, international terrorism, riots and violation of human rights due to fear of opposition, criticism, intimidation, etc.? Were there occasions when we lost a wonderful opportunity to bear witness to Christ due to our non-involvement or silence in these matters?
6. A Prayer
Deliver us Lord from all fears, worries and anxieties that keep us enslaved. We surrender them into your hands and admit that your power and dominion over us is greater than our fears. Give us the courage, strength and divine wisdom to bear a powerful witness to your gospel-values in times of opposition and persecution. Keep us always loyal to you so that we may endure until the end. Amen.
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