Luke 21:20,23-28 NRSVue

20“When you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its desolation has come near., 23Woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing infants in those days! For there will be great distress on the earth and wrath against this people; 24they will fall by the edge of the sword and be taken away as captives among all nations, and Jerusalem will be trampled on by the nations, until the times of the nations are fulfilled.

25“There will be signs in the sun, the moon, and the stars and on the earth distress among nations confused by the roaring of the sea and the waves. 26People will faint from fear and foreboding of what is coming upon the world, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. 27Then they will see ‘the Son of Man coming in a cloud’ with power and great glory. 28Now when these things begin to take place, stand up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.”,

Some thoughts on this scripture

Reflection
Millions of refugees know the truth of this gospel today. They number some 20 million: but we Christians number 2.18 billion. We can do something to help them.

Reflection
How does the Son of man ‘draw near’ to his people in times of disaster? Saint Paul says that if one part of Christ’s body suffers, ‘all the other parts suffer together with it’ (1 Corinthians 12:26). We are asked to show solidarity to the afflicted, just as we would want them to show solidarity with us in our need.