C: 33rd Sun of OrdTime (17 November 2019) - IMPENDING DESTRUCTION (Lk 21:5-19)

Jesus in our gospel today gave a strong prophecy on the destruction of the temple. He particularly referred to the temple of Jerusalem which Herod the Great had painstakingly adorned with precious stones (Lk 21:6). This temple was actually more beautiful than the previous one which had also been destroyed earlier in 587/6 BCE as a final blow struck by king Nebuchadnezzar to the Southern Kingdom of Judah on account of their anti-Babylonian resistance. For any pious Judahite that time, this destruction of Jerusalem was not merely a demolition of physical structures (sanctuaries, buildings, gates, walls), but, more importantly, it was an eradication of their very identity since their lives were practically entangled with this city where their temple, their government and their holy mountain of refuge were situated. Another destruction of this magnitude would undoubtedly inflict them equal psychological pain and spiritual devastation.

Yet, here was Jesus, prophesying the eventual second destruction of their temple. True enough, later in history, the temple of Jerusalem would be sacked by Titus and his Roman Army in 70 CE, looting her treasuries, burning her chambers, and leaving no traces of her renowned ancient beauty. The emotional damage this catastrophe gave the Jews was far beyond repair as until now they were unable to rebuild and even recover it. In relation to our present context, I think that our readings today ask three important points to be considered in our reflection and preparation for the Coming of the Lord, namely, Anticipate, Appreciate, and Ameliorate.

(1) Anticipate means that we are always prepared for the final days. Our gospel today also relates to all temporal situations and contexts as everything on earth will surely reach their end. Indeed, “not one stone will be left upon another” (v. 6). Accordingly, all of us are challenged to be always cognizant of this reality and be personally prepared to be face our Maker one day.

(2) Appreciate means putting value to ordinary events, people, and experiences we encounter each day. It should be with a constant joy of believing that God is on top everything and that there is really nothing we should seriously worry about, believing in the words of the Psalmist who says: “The Lord comes to rule the peoples with fairness” (Psa 98:9).

(3) Ameliorate means getting better each day, improving on our traits and behavior. Certainly, there will be trials along the way, as Jesus himself predicted: “men will seize you and persecute you; they will hand you over to the synagogues and to imprisonment and bring you before kings and governors because of my name – and that will be your opportunity to bear witness” (Lk 21:12-13). Paul reminds the Thessalonians in the Second Reading to keep on working and persevering: “You know how you are supposed to imitate us” (2 Thess 3:7) which is capped fittingly by the Lukan Jesus, saying, “Your endurance will win you your lives” (Lk 21:19).

To illustrate these three values we are called to exemplify—Anticipate, Appreciate, and Ameliorate—it is helpful to recall an anecdote in the life of St. Charles Borromeo: “The saint being one day in company, and accommodating himself to the occasion by playing a game of chess, the conversation chanced to turn on the day of judgment; and one of the party inquired of the rest what they should do if it were suddenly announced to them that Christ was at hand. One said that he should betake himself to prayers; another that he should instantly go to confession; a third that he should hasten to the church, and prostrate himself before the Blessed Sacrament. But Charles replied that he should go on with his game of chess; for that he had begun it for the glory of God, and should continue it for the same end; and that whatever was done with a single view to God was a holy and meritorious act”(cf. Pilot, vol. 24/13 [1861]).

- Rex Fortes, CM