Jesus remains
Listening the Spirit
Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful. And kindle in them the fire of your love. Send forth your Spirit and they shall be created. And you will renew the face of the earth.
Lord, by the light of the Holy Spirit you have taught the hearts of your faithful. In the same Spirit help us to relish what is right and always rejoice in your consolation.
Listening the Word: Luke 21:5-19
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.
"Before all this happens, however,
they will seize and persecute you,
they will hand you over to the synagogues and to prisons,
and they will have you led before kings and governors
because of my name.
It will lead to your giving testimony.
Remember, you are not to prepare your defense beforehand,
for I myself shall give you a wisdom in speaking
that all your adversaries will be powerless to resist or refute.
You will even be handed over by parents, brothers, relatives, and friends,
and they will put some of you to death.
You will be hated by all because of my name,
but not a hair on your head will be destroyed.
By your perseverance you will secure your lives."
Reflection
What were our worries this week? Before going to sleep or waking up, where were our thoughts directed? Money, conflicts, divisions, sickness, catastrophes, persecutions. The economic situation becomes more difficult every time, except for those who are rich already. How much suffering we see in our world because of wars and divisions! We got used to seeing numbers instead of real people so that we can go on without too much trouble. Just some years ago we had a very bad experience withthe pandemic. More often than before, natural disasters such as droughts, typhoons and fires affect our countries. How can we go on with all of this around us? We can get stressed, upset, tired and loose hope.
The invitation of Jesus, amid all that can affect our life is very simple: Focus! Look at me and my message, don’t listen to the world but listen to me. The world will fail you but not me. There will be people and things that will try to take my place saying, “I am he.”
Sometimes, the troubles of our daily life take the place of Jesus. Our priority shifts and is not anymore Christ at the center, our worries take our first and last thoughts of the day. They become our “lord,” but only taking our energy, time and peace of mind. Many things, says Jesus, will happen first but will not be the end. Even in the middle of persecution and inquiries, Jesus tells us not to worry because he himself will give us the wisdom we need to talk.
We may be betrayed for our closest circle of family and loved ones, but Jesus remains but he assures his protection: “not even a hair on your head will be destroyed”. This is what really gives stability, a solid rock on which we can rely always. Just hold on Jesus, don’t let him go from your center, from your heart. It doesn’t mean that we will just ignore what it is around and we will be in our bubble of religion and friendship with Jesus, but that we face it knowing that Jesus will be there for us, being the Lord of our lives always, encouraging us and showing himself at our side.
Almost at the end out our liturgical year, let us ask from our Lord Jesus Christ to keep us close to him. May we be constant in our prayer so that we are never left alone in all the worries of our world and that we keep our hope always high and in his word. Everything shall pass but him and his word will remain.
Lord Jesus, we ask you to be always in the center of our lives and to give us a heart full of hope in your promises. Give us the strength to continue loving and serving you despite the difficulties so that you may find us ready when you come again.
Reflection Questions
- What worries or situations in my daily life have taken the first and last place in my thoughts, and how can I intentionally return Jesus to the center of my heart?
- In the midst of conflicts, suffering, and uncertainty around me, how is Jesus inviting me to trust in His promises and remain steadfast in prayer and hope?
