Gospel (Luke 21.5-19) Sunday, November 14, 2010
5 While some spoke of the temple and beautiful stones and votive offerings that adorn it, Jesus said 6 "The days will come when, for all that you admire, not one stone upon another that will not be destroyed." 7 they asked him, "Teacher, when will this happen and what will be the sign that it is about to take place? ".
8 said, "Take care not to be deceived. Many will come in my name, saying, "I am" and "The time is near" but not follow them. 9 When you hear of wars and revolutions, do not be terrified. These things must happen first, but it will immediately end. "
10 he said to them: "Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, 11 and there will be great earthquakes in place, famines, and pestilences, and there will be terrifying events and great signs from heaven. 12 But before all this they will lay their hands on you and persecute you, delivering you up to synagogues and prisons, and brought before kings and governors because of my name. 13 This will be your opportunity to bear witness. 14 Settle it in mind not to prepare your defense; 15 and I will give you words and wisdom which all your adversaries will be able to withstand or contradict. 16 You will be betrayed even by parents, siblings, relatives and friends, and they will make death some of you 17 will be hated by all for of my name. 18 But not a hair of your head will perish. 19 By your patience possess ye your souls. "
Luke wrote his Gospel about the year 85 AD during the fifty years that have elapsed since the death and resurrection of Jesus are terrible things happen. There were wars, political revolutions, catastrophes, the temple of Jerusalem was destroyed, the Christians are victims of injustice and persecution.
How to explain events as dramatic?
anyone used the Master's words: "There will be a place of great earthquakes, famines, and pestilences, and there will be terrifying ... they shall lay hands on you "(vv.11-12). Here's the explanation! - You start to say - Jesus had foreseen everything.
Accidents (especially the destruction of the Temple of Jerusalem) are signs of the end of the world is approaching and that the Lord is coming back on the clouds of heaven.
Today's Gospel is to respond to these false expectations and correct interpretation misconception that gave some to the words of the Master.
Even then his apocalyptic language lent itself to being misunderstood.
examine the song in detail.
Some people draw near to Jesus who is in the temple and invite you to admire the beauty : the huge white limestone rocks in the square perfectly by the workers of Herod, the decorations, the ex-voto, the golden vine hanging from the walls of the vestibule and extending more and more through the branches offered by the faithful, the facade is covered with gold plates thickness By reason of a coin ... the rabbis argued: "Who has not seen the temple in Jerusalem has not provided the fairest of the wonders of the world."
Jesus' answer is surprising: "Of all the things you admire will not be put stone upon stone." Amazed then asked him: "When will this happen and what will be the sign that things are about to take place? "(vv. 5-7).
Jesus can not specify the date : do not know, as no one knows the day and time of the end of the world (Mt 24.36). He is not a magician, a I guess, this does not answer.
Why Luke introduces this episode? He does it for his pastoral concern: he wants to warn his community who confuses dreams with reality. Some attributed to enhanced predictions that Jesus was only the result of extravagant speculation.
The evangelist calls Christians to stop chasing tales and reflect on the one thing that will cover: what to do, specifically, to collaborate in the coming of the new world, the kingdom of God
The "false prophets" have always represented a serious threat to Christian communities and Luke also points out that Jesus took care to warn his disciples to those who ensure that the end of the world is near. Strongly recommended: "Do not follow them" (vv. 8-9). The end will not come soon, and the gestation of the new world will be difficult and time consuming.
What will happen in the time between the coming of the Lord and the end of the world?
Jesus answers this question using the apocalyptic language .
Talk lifting people against people, earthquakes, famines and plagues, the terrifying events of great signs in heaven (vv. 10-11). These will be incorporated and explained a little later: "There will be signs in sun and moon and stars, and on earth distress of nations in perplexity at the roaring of the sea and the waves, men fainting with fear and the expectation of what will happen on earth. The powers of the heavens will be shaken "(Luke 21.25-26). What do you mean?
One of the recurring ideas in Jesus' time was that the world had become too corrupt and that he would soon be replaced by a new reality sprout from God He said that at the time of the passage from the old to the new, the men were seized with great fear, the peoples and nations would be upset, there would be violence, disease, disasters, wars. The sun would have appeared during the night and the moon during the day, the trees have begun to spill blood, and threw stones to break screams.
This language, these images were well known.
Jesus uses it to tell the disciples that the move is imminent between the two periods of history. His is a proclamation of joy and hope Who's in pain and waiting for the kingdom of God is to know who is to come up the dawn of a new, beautiful day. That's why urges the disciples to not be frightened: do not be terrified (v.9), and a little further, recommends: "When these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your liberation is near "(Luke 21:28).
After invited to consider the waiting time of his return as a gestation period that prepares the birth, Jesus foretold the difficulties that his followers will face (vv.12-19 ).
What will the sign that the kingdom of God is being born and to establish in the world?
not the triumph, applause, the approval of men, but persecution.
expected Jesus to his disciples: the prison, slander, betrayal by the same family and best friends.
In these difficult situations they may be tempted to become discouraged, thinking they had the wrong choices in their lives.
Why endure so much suffering and make many sacrifices? Useless: the wicked will always continue to prosper, to commit violence, to win over the righteous. Jesus replied that this will not happen. God guides the events of human life and also guiding the plans of evil for the good of his children and the establishment of the Kingdom.
" Settle it in mind not to prepare your defense" - yet recommended. What does this mean? The disciples may have to expect miraculous deliverance?
No. Jesus warns them of the danger of trusting the reasoning and calculations that are used to make men.
If the disciples thought he could defend using the logic of this world, instead of that of God, will stand on equal footing with their opponents and lose.
will have to accept with serenity the fact that they can not resort to methods of those who pursued them: slander, hypocrisy, corruption and violence. They must be convinced that their strength lies in what people consider the fragility and weakness. They are sheep among wolves, can not dress up as wolves.
If you really will be consistent with the demands of their vocation, Jesus, good shepherd, to defend them. Give them a force which no one can resist the force of truth, love and forgiveness.
Finally, Jesus calls an expression much used in his time: "Not a hair of your head will perish." It promises to protect his followers from any misfortune and danger. persecuted Christians should not expect miraculous deliverance: lose their property, labor, reputation and perhaps even life itself because of the Gospel. However, despite appearances to the contrary, the kingdom of God will continue to advance.
Those who sacrificed themselves for Christ, might not reap the fruits of the good they have sown, but must cultivate the joyous certainty that the fruits will be plentiful. In this world will not recognize the value of their sacrifice. Be forgotten, perhaps cursed, but God - and it is his opinion that counts! - Will give them the reward in the resurrection of the righteous.
Father Fernando Armellini (biblical scholar)
0 comments:
Post a Comment