33^rd SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME –C

 

I Reading: Malachi 3:19-20: For you, the sun of righteousness will shine out.

II Reading: 2 Thessalonians 3:7-12: Do not let anyone have food if he refuses to work.

Gospel: Luke 21:5-11: Not a single stone will be left on another.

 

The Predicted Signs of the Present Age, Lk 21:5-11

The church invites us today to get ready for the day when Christ will come on the last day to give us eternal life. We need to prepare for our individual death and the second coming of Christ at the end of the world. All three readings of today speak about Christ’s second coming which applies to our individual death.

The prophet Malachi announces the “Day of Yahweh.” Jesus also announced “The Day of Yahweh” in today’s Gospel. Malachi means “my messenger” which deserves to “Jesus Christ.” Prophet Malachi referred to the day when the Messiah would come into the world. Jesus would destroy sin through his death on the cross and save humankind from sin and death those who come to believe in him. The purpose of Jesus’ announcement was not to proclaim destruction as salvation or to frighten people but to encourage his followers and to save the believers.

How to wait for the coming of Christ? We must wait for Jesus’ coming “never getting tired of doing what is right” (2 Thess 3:13), ready to accept persecution for his sake (Lk 21:19), continued prayer with courage and hope in the Lord (Lk 21:36) and finally with complete trust in him at all time (Lk 21:18).

This chapter is known as the Olivet Discourse. It deals with three great subjects that layout in the future when they were predicted by Jesus.

1. The destruction of Jerusalem Temple: The disciples admired the temple’s beauty (v.6-7; cp. Mt 25:2-3)

a. Jesus predicted the temple’s utter destruction

b. The disciples asked two questions     

  1) when was it to be destroyed: Jesus did not answer this question

  2) what were signs

Sign 1: False christs

Sign 2: Conflict of nations

Sign 3: Natural disasters

c. The warning: be not deceived

2. The Lord’s return (v.7; cp. Mt 24:3):

3. The end of the world (v.7; cp. Mt 24: 3).

Matthew and Mark’s account of what happens in this passage should be read along with Luke for a clearer understanding.

Thought: Jesus said, “The end will not come right away,” not yet. “Watch out that you are not deceived.” (2Chr 15:6-7; Jer 51:45-46; Lk 21:34; Phil 4:6; 1Pet 5:7).

God never lost control of the world; he started destroying evil the very moment that sin brought it about. Jesus obtained a total and definite victory over sin and death in his own person. Today he gives us eternal life or salvation to complete his triumph over evil in our own person as we die as believers in the world.

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