Readings: Mal. 3:19-20; Ps.98; 2Thess.3:17-12; Luke:21:5-19
Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.
DO NOT GIVE UP IN TIMES OF PERSECUTIONS AND HARDSHIPS FOR YOUR ENDURANCE WILL WIN YOU YOUR LIFE
Everywhere in the world we see and hear of human wickedness, intimidation, manipulations, kidnapping, killing and different other immoral activities people do for the sake of power, fame, money and lustful desires. And anyone who tries to resist, challenge, correct, change or stop these ugly attitudes, becomes an object to be eliminated. Yet in the midst of all these ugly situation, we are required to continue to speak about God’s goodness, love, compassion and forgiveness. A very difficult task to do, especially when we are suffering as victims of this ugly situation.
Hence, Jesus in our Gospel passage today while taking about the end time event in relation to the destruction of the beautiful temple of Jerusalem, declares that his followers are going to be persecuted on account of bearing witness to his name, a reality that will put even their most cherished relationships to the test: they will be betrayed even by their closest relations and friends. However we should not prepare any defense, because God himself shall give us an eloquence and a wisdom that none of our opponents will be able to resist or contradict for your endurance will win you your life.
Here, as Jesus foretells the destruction of the physical temple in Jerusalem, we need to recall what replaces that temple. This temple was replaced by the presence of the Holy Spirit in the Church and in the soul of humanity. So we are born anew to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. Though we still talk about the glories of the temple of Jerusalem how it is being adorned, it’s splendour and beauty.
But what about the new temple, be it the physical temple of our Church, or other objects of worship, or that of our homes, our families or even our bodies which is temple of the Holy Spirit, today Jesus is letting us to know that a day will come when they will be destroyed and will nolonger exist for nothing last forever in this passing world. So we should not be distracted by the beauty of the things of this passing world or let them separate us from the love of God be it inform of persecutions nor death.
Little wonder Jesus gave us the details of the challenges that awaits us as his followers such as: arrests; persecution; trials before government authorities; betrayal by family and friends; hatred on account of his name; and even execution. He made us to know that we should not lay blames on a particular person or group of people, on the society, or even on our enemies for such ugly treatment. For they are rather an opportunity to testify and bear witness of him to the world.
Also in this Gospel, Jesus did not only describes what his followers will have to endure, but offers assurance that he will support them and make them strong. So he made us to know that here comes a time in the spiritual life of his followers when they will have to choose to endure, rather than despair. By their endurance they will gain their lives. Hence, period of persecution is a time to bear witness through our endurance, courage and tenacity.
For we heard prophet Malachi in our first reading saying: the day that is coming is going to burn up evildoers, says the Lord of Hosts, leaving them neither root nor stalk. But for those who fear my name they are the sun of righteousness who will shine out with healing in its wings. And St. Paul talking about the need to work hard in preparation for the coming of the Lord says in our second reading: we order and call on people who have failed to work to go on quietly working and earning the food that they eat and stop giving unnecessary excuses under the pretense that the coming of the Lord.
Dear friends, our message today is centered on hope, faith and love, letting us know that God remains present in the world and also in our lives even when things have gotten so bad that we feel as if the world is over for us. So these theological virtues of hope faith and love become very important to us, because the circumstances in which Jesus invites us to share the Good News is quite challenging and difficult, especially now that we are passing through difficult times, as individual, families, societies and countries.
No doubt we are all affected by the current war in Ukraine and other social, economical, security and political factors, of which these troubles and conflicts are affecting the whole world. But just as Jesus was not abandoned by his Father in his hour of need, we too will not be abandoned in this times of difficulties. For God knows what we are passing through now and in due time he we will give us victory for Jesus says that our endurance will win us our lives. So do not give up in time for persecutions and hardships for your endurance will win you your life.
Finally, we will recall that Pope Francis since 2017 the year of Our Lord, dedicated every last Sundays before the Solemnity of Christ the King, as the World Day of the Poor. An occasion where we are all reminded of the poor, those people in our community who are lacking basic needs of life as they depend on others to survive. Therefore today we are called to be of help the best we could to the poor knowing that God has a plan for everyone of us, each person has been given a special talent according to his/her ability in order to fulfill that plan. So everyone no matter you present condition is special, unique and a masterpiece
LET US PRAY: Lord God, as we struggle with the ugly situation in our world today, grant us the courage and strength to endure patiently especially in this difficult times, through Christ our Lord. Amen. Do have a fruitful Sunday celebration.
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