Gospel Reading: Lk 21:12-19
JESUS said to the crowd: “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.”
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Reacting to the comments of people on the beauty of the Temple of Jerusalem, Jesus speaks about the inevitable end and destruction of all cosmic realities (cf Lk 21:8-11). In the Gospel, Jesus says that the end will be preceded by persecutions against his disciples and the punishment of Jerusalem (cf Lk 21:20-24).
That Christians will be seized and persecuted is a general description that can fit any period of history. Luke’s concern, however, is not to predict the events, but to develop at length what attitude the Christian disciples must have during the times of persecutions. Not only should they be ready to face a prolonged period of time in history; the disciples should likewise see the positive side of the trials: these will lead to their giving testimony.
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SOURCE: “365 Days with the Lord 2017” ST. PAULS Philippines, 7708 St. Paul Rd., SAV, Makati City (Phils.); Tel.: 895-9701; Fax 895-7328; E-mail: [email protected]; Website: http://www.stpauls.ph.
