End Times

Today’s Gospel Text: "And there will be signs in sun and moon and stars, and upon the earth distress of nations in perplexity at the roaring of the sea and the waves, 26 men fainting with fear and with foreboding of what is coming on the world; for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. 27 And then they will see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. 28 Now when these things begin to take place, look up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near."

29 And he told them a parable: "Look at the fig tree, and all the trees; 30 as soon as they come out in leaf, you see for yourselves and know that the summer is already near. 31 So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that the kingdom of God is near. 32 Truly, I say to you, this generation will not pass away till all has taken place. 33 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away. 34 "But take heed to yourselves lest your hearts be weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and cares of this life, and that day come upon you suddenly like a snare; 35 for it will come upon all who dwell upon the face of the whole earth. 36 But watch at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that will take place, and to stand before the Son of man." Luke 21:25-36

Reflection: The prophecy of the end times can be pretty unnerving and can disturb quite a few if one really reflects on it seriously in the light of the many prophecies revealed to the saints of God in different ages.

There have been saints who have been given a vision of purgatory and hell too and it is left to us to reflect on them.

What Christ has revealed is the beginning, the foundation and in itself should suffice if we just don’t plainly read it but enter into the depth of reflection which God expects of each dedicated disciple.

The end of all ages will not just come upon the Christian or a follower of Christ but on all mankind, irrespective of nations, color or creed.

Those who will be equipped to face that day will be the dedicated disciples of Christ who have deeply reflected on their call in the light of the end and followed him closely.

This again is another indication that it is necessary for everyone to believe in Christ in order to face that day. It is only Christ who gives us such a warning and what kind of upheaval to expect.

To know the end and to be prepared for it is constitutive element for salvation. Hence if you want to be saved then know the end and all that Jesus has to teach us about it. 

One of the elements of the end is the great corruption that is going to set in the faith that Jesus has revealed which will lead even the elect astray. (cfr. Mk. 13:22)

There are many, who act as false prophets, in the church who are preparing the people to welcome the anti-Christ in the world.  There are them who preach a gospel of universalism and unity of all mankind based on false values, in the name of justice, peace and brotherhood

The only way we can escape this end is by having a savior; the time tested one, Jesus Christ and seek to be guided by his voice amidst the deception of daily lives. It is he who will guide the sincere of hearts to avoid the contagion of falsity and deception.

Prayer:  Lord, I need your help to guide me constantly amidst the dark corrupting evil world in which we are being constantly led astray by the apostles of darkness and deception.

DD = Dedicated Discipleship:  Come grow in the Lord with us

Son of David

Scripture/Bible:   And as Jesus taught in the temple, he said, "How can the scribes say that the Christ is the son of David? 36 David himself, inspired by the Holy Spirit, declared, 'The Lord said to my Lord, Sit at my right hand, till I put thy enemies under thy feet.' 37 David himself calls him Lord; so how is he his son?" And the great throng heard him gladly. Mark 12:35-37

Reflection:  I can’t understand this; we acknowledge Christ to be the Son of David according to the ancestry and according to the promise. 

Then why is Jesus challenging the Scribes and questioning them about something which he is not supposed to? If I were in the midst of the crowd, I would perhaps tell Jesus; look Jesus, according to the promise he is indeed the Son of David, so they are right in what they say. 

Doesn’t the Scripture prophesy about him being from the seed of David?

Here are some texts from the Bible, which are prophecies about Jesus as one connected with the line of David: 2 Sam 7: 12, 16; 1 Chr. 17:11; Ps. 89:35-37; 132:11; 138:1-6; Jer. 23:5-6; 33:14-15, Eze.34:23-25,

But he had to tell them they shouldn’t get too fossilized on their interpretation of the word and miss the bus. Some of us tend to take just one aspect of the scripture and fail to understand the other aspects because of our conditioning which prevents us from accepting certain truths.

The Jews down centuries had interpreted only one part of the prophetic scripture and failed to interpret the most important element of which the prophetic text was revealing concerning Jesus. They failed to see the divinity of Christ and the prophetic texts which pointed out to this divinity.   

Ps. 45:6; 89:27; Is. 7:14; 8:8; 9:6; 40:9; 45:21-25; Jer. 23:5-6;  Zech. 11:10- 13; 13: 7 Micah 5:2

It may have never been easy for them in keeping with their concept of God as supremely one.  Thanks to Jesus who through the Holy Spirit and through his Holy Apostles reveals to us the triune nature of God; that glory which is manifested in us and in nature. 

Thus Jesus is God according to the prophetic text too: “For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell.” Col 1:19     

“Though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form he humbled himself and became obedient unto death, even death on a cross.”  Phil 2:6-8

Prayer: "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!" Mark 10:47

DD = Dedicated Discipleship:  Come grow in the Lord with us

Be equipped to Face!

Scripture: "But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its desolation has come near. 21 Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains, and let those who are inside the city depart, and let not those who are out in the country enter it; 22 for these are days of vengeance, to fulfil all that is written. 23 Alas for those who are with child and for those who give suck in those days! For great distress shall be upon the earth and wrath upon this people; 24 they will fall by the edge of the sword, and be led captive among all nations; and Jerusalem will be trodden down by the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled. Luke 21:20-28

Reflection: Are we still living in the time of the prophecy of Jesus beginning with what the Romans did in 72 AD.? They ransacked Jerusalem and destroyed the temple and all that was Jerusalem.

Hence they were spoken to a people in order to warn them of the need to turn to God. Hence, more so for our generation, when and for whom and how it is going to be fulfilled is not important.  What is important is that there can be moments of disaster or calamity which could keep coming without warning.  In our generation it could happen all the more on account of the rebelliousness and Godlessness of men.

But blessed is the man who is equipped with a faith that is not afraid of any calamities or tragedies. His trust will be the Lord who is able to deliver his chosen ones, if not from the immediate, then from the eternal evil that one may face.

Every prophecy that is based on truth communicates Jesus as the Savior of mankind.

Prayer:  Eternal Father, Save me from the hour of darkness by helping me prepare my heart to meet you.

DD = Dedicated Discipleship:  Come grow in the Lord with us