Reading 1
Mal 3:19-20a
Lo, the day is coming, blazing like an oven,
when all the proud and all evildoers will be stubble,
and the day that is coming will set them on fire,
leaving them neither root nor branch,
says the LORD of hosts.
But for you who fear my name, there will arise
the sun of justice with its healing rays.
Ps 98:5-6, 7-8, 9
Responsorial PsalmR. (cf. 9)
The Lord comes to rule the earth with justice.
Sing praise to the LORD with the harp,
with the harp and melodious song.
With trumpets and the sound of the horn
sing joyfully before the King, the LORD.
R. The Lord comes to rule the earth with justice.
Let the sea and what fills it resound,
the world and those who dwell in it;
let the rivers clap their hands,
the mountains shout with them for joy.
R. The Lord comes to rule the earth with justice.
Before the LORD, for he comes,
for he comes to rule the earth,
He will rule the world with justice
and the peoples with equity.
R. The Lord comes to rule the earth with justice.
Reading 2
2 Thes 3:7-12
Brothers and sisters:
You know how one must imitate us.
For we did not act in a disorderly way among you,
nor did we eat food received free from anyone.
On the contrary, in toil and drudgery, night and day
we worked, so as not to burden any of you.
Not that we do not have the right.
Rather, we wanted to present ourselves as a model for you,
so that you might imitate us.
In fact, when we were with you,
we instructed you that if anyone was unwilling to work,
neither should that one eat.
We hear that some are conducting themselves among you in a
disorderly way,
by not keeping busy but minding the business of others.
Such people we instruct and urge in the Lord Jesus Christ to work quietly
and to eat their own food.
Lk 21:5-19
Gospel
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."
Meditation: Luke 21:5-19
“By your perseverance you will secure your lives.” (Luke 21:19)
Today’s Gospel reading tells us that Jesus’ second coming is not just a one-day event. Rather, it is the culmination of a seemingly ageless battle between light and darkness. This battle has been raging since the devil was first driven out of heaven, and Satan’s goal is to keep on fighting until everything in creation has been overwhelmed.
What the devil hasn’t counted on, however, is the surpassing per-severance of God. He remains ever the same, and his patience will not expire with a cataclysmic snap engulfing the world in darkness. No, he is ever kind, compassionate, and gentle toward his people. He will never abandon the world to the devil. And neither will he let us succeed in totally destroying one another. He is waiting patiently, “not wishing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9).
When we ponder the Second Coming—as we do every year at this time—we have two choices. Either we can become frightened and over-whelmed, or we can recall the truths of the gospel. God is in control of everything. We are safe and secure in Christ. We know the One in whom we have believed—Jesus, who died out of love for us. He is able to guard us until he comes again. We can place our trust and hope in him.
So in the midst of upheavals such as the ones Jesus described, hold on to hope. From beginning to end, he reassures us, “Do not be terrifi ed” (Luke 21:9). “Not a hair on your head will be destroyed” (21:18). We don’t even have to worry about how to defend ourselves, for Jesus will give us the wisdom we need. In Christ, through faith and obedience, we will never be left alone. So lift up your heart to the Lord and entrust every-thing—all times, all seasons—into his loving care.
“Lord, I believe that you love and watch over me at all times. Strengthen my faith and my resolve to obey you, so that I may endure in patient hope until the day you come again.”
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