Luke 21:5-11 NRSVue

⁵When some were speaking about the temple, how it was adorned with beautiful stones and gifts dedicated to God, he said, ⁶“As for these things that you see, the days will come when not one stone will be left upon another; all will be thrown down.”

⁷They asked him, “Teacher, when will this be, and what will be the sign that this is about to take place?” ⁸And he said, “Beware that you are not led astray, for many will come in my name and say, ‘I am he!’ and, ‘The time is near!’ Do not go after them.

⁹“When you hear of wars and insurrections, do not be terrified, for these things must take place first, but the end will not follow immediately.” ¹⁰Then he said to them, “Nation will rise against nation and kingdom against kingdom; ¹¹there will be great earthquakes and in various places famines and plagues, and there will be dreadful portents and great signs from heaven.

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Some thoughts on this scripture

Reflection
The temple was not just the centre of the Jews' civilisation: it was the place where God lived among them. Jesus told them that it was all going to fall apart! Is there any way in which my "secure centre"--either personal or national--threatens to collapse? The fall of the Twin Towers is a powerful symbol for many of us. The key words from Jesus in all of this are: "Do not be terrified". Can I allow Jesus, the Consoler, to speak to me, wherever I am?

Reflection
As we pray, the gospels of the end times call us to trust in the presence and love of God when the end of life comes, or the end of the world - however that might be. Praying these gospels may lead us to reflect on the mystery of trust in our lives and to give thanks for those we have trusted and can trust throughout our lives. People who were there for us at very bad times, or people who can share our joy. Our ability to trust in God and trust in others is closely linked.

Reflection
Jesus tells us to be prepared, to remain firm in faith. He calls us to be rooted and stable while also being ready to shed everything. He reminds us that without him as the centre of our lives, we will be lost.

Reflection
The telling of the daily news makes it easy to believe that our times are worse than others. While technology is used to spread gloomy and disheartening news, I give thanks that it also leads me to Jesus’ truth.

Reflection
In these last days of the Church's year, we hear Jesus, in Jerusalem, as he faces his own death, foretell crises and great upset facing his followers. Jesus does not minimise or water down the difficulties. He himself went on to face the ultimate in crisis and upset. The crisis was not the last word.

Reflection
In these last days of the Church's year, we hear Jesus, in Jerusalem, as he faces his own death, foretell crises and great upset facing his followers.  Jesus does not minimise or water down the difficulties. He himself went on to face the ultimate in crisis and upset.  The crisis was not the last word.