Lk 21:5-11
While some people were talking about the Temple, remarking that it was adorned with fine stonework and rich gifts, Jesus said to them, “The days will come when there shall not be left one stone upon another of all that you now admire; all will be torn down.” And they asked him, “Master, when will this be, and what will be the sign that this is about to take place?”
Jesus then said, “Take care not to be deceived, for many will come claiming my title and saying: ‘I am he, the Messiah; the time is at hand.’ Do not follow them. When you hear of wars and troubled times, don’t be frightened; for all this must happen first, even though the end is not so soon.”
And Jesus said, “Nations will fight each other and kingdom will oppose kingdom. There will be great earthquakes, famines and plagues; in many places strange and terrifying signs from heaven will be seen.
REFLECTION
At the time of Jesus, the temple of Jerusalem was really wonderful. It had been rebuilt by Herod the Great during 46 years (Jn 2:20). It was the pride of Israel. That is why the prophecy of Jesus was terrible indeed, but was literally accomplished in the year 70 AD.
About the signs announcing this destruction, Jesus is extremely prudent, especially with the claim to be the Messiah. During Christian history and until now we have this kind of false prophets. We decidedly have to resist, even if some personalities seem attractive and the institutions powerful.
Even the wars and natural catastrophes could be very numerous. But we do not know the end. This is another easy temptation of today, since these natural disasters multiply and wars are never failing on our earth.
For us the Gospel of Jesus and the communion to his risen body must be the source of an unshakable hope forever.
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