Reflection for TUESDAY, 34th Week, Ordinary Time.

By 

          Fr. Aloysius Santiago sdb
Director, Social Action Movement, Don Bosco Bidar

Today's Gospel Verses 

Luke 21:5-11 

Some of his disciples were remarking about how the temple was adorned with beautiful stones and with gifts dedicated to God. But Jesus said, “As for what you see here, the time will come when not one stone will be left on another; every one of them will be thrown down.”

“Teacher,” they asked, “when will these things happen? *And what will be the sign that they are about to take place?”

He replied: “Watch out that you are not deceived. For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am he,’ and, ‘The time is near.’ Do not follow them. When you hear of wars and uprisings, do not be frightened. These things must happen first, but the end will not come right away.” 

Then he said to them: “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be great earthquakes, famines and pestilences in various places, and fearful events and great signs from heaven. 

Today's Reflection 

One of the common ways to manipulate someone is to take advantage of that person’s insecurities.

When a person’s insecurities are known, then the next thing will be to create fears based on those insecurities.

That is how scammers operate and that is also how people are conned and deceived.

What Jesus said in the gospel is not just a prediction of what is to come.

It is also to prepare us in expectation that what seems so secure and stable now can just give way and crumble, and the image of not one stone on another says it all.

So it may happen to our family, to our relationships, to our careers, to our health, to our wealth, and to whatever that we hold near and dear.

So when our stability and security is tested and shaken, fear will creep in and even cripple us.

Jesus tells us not to be deceived, not to be frightened and not to fear, but to have faith in Him.

We can only have faith in Jesus, when during peaceful and stable times, we strengthen our relationship with Jesus.

So let us take our prayer seriously and faithfully and keep ourselves close to Jesus always, so that when our lives are shaken and we stumble, Jesus will protect us and save us.

GOD BLESS YOU

Good morning. Have a nice day.

Happy feast of St. Cecilia