Home Daily Meditation Luke 21,5-19

Luke 21,5-19

by Fr. Michael Della Penna

Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Luke 21,5-19

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.”

Peace to all my brothers and sisters listening in today

Temples, Tabernacles, Hearts

1. Temples. Imagine if you can the visual splendor of the Jerusalem Temple at its height. Considered a wonder of the world, it was a spectacularly beautiful white monument that took 46 years to build, 40 feet high and 1000 feet long; it was the very center of the Jewish faith because it was the dwelling place of God himself and so was magnificently decorated with precious jewels and gold. Jesus’ shocking statement therefore is all the more radical as he shakes the Jews up by saying the unthinkable: the day will come when not one stone will be left on top of another.

2. Tabernacles. Jesus challenges us today, just as he challenged the Jews in the Gospel to question the very roots of their identity and beliefs. On What do we place our security on? What do we put our faith in? The phrasing of the question is key because it is not on what we place our faith but on who. Jesus is reminding us that He is the temple of God. More than that as his body he is revealing that we are the temples of the Holy Spirit the place where God himself dwells. Every time we receive communion we become living tabernacles, Gods home if you will. Hearts. Saint Alphonsus Liguori said the paradise of God is the human heart and yet As temples of the Holy Spirit we must be aware that our hearts are always in need of cleansing and purifying. God is not done with us- we haven’t arrived. One The key principles of Aristotle is to begin with the end in mind. Knowing where we want to go before we start is essential to insuring we will reach our goal. Where are we going, what is our goal? We are called to be another Christ, To receive a new heart, his heart, In order to love as he loves.
That is our goal.

3. Hearts. Saint Alphonsus Liguori said the paradise of God is the human heart and yet As temples of the Holy Spirit we must be aware that our hearts are always in need of cleansing and purifying. God is not done with us- we haven’t arrived. One The key principles of Aristotle is to begin with the end in mind. Knowing where we want to go before we start is essential to insuring we will reach our goal. Where are we going, what is our goal? We are called to be another Christ, To receive a new heart, his heart, In order to love as he loves.
That is our goal.

As we approach the end of the church year, we therefore are cautioned not to fear Jesus’ Discourse about the end times. On the contrary, we are called to trust in Him and remind ourselves of the very purpose for which we were made; our ultimate destiny is to become one with God, where he is fully in us and we are fully in him. Instead of bringing fear then we are called to persevere and continue to allow our hearts to being formed in his image, daily opening them to receiving the Holy Spirit and becoming dwelling places for God.

May God bless you in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit

Always remember heaven is our goal.

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