The listening seemed to be frightening and sinister, Then great suffering will reign all over.

Jesus’ prediction that the temple will be destroyed . and the destruction of Jerusalem.

Jesus does not say these things to frighten us, but to prepare us. Our proper response is not to be terrified.

This “one like a son of man”is given “everlasting dominion,”

shall be given to the people of the saints of the Most High” --- peace and justice.

 

＊＊＊ 1st Reading ＊＊＊    

Revelation 18:1-2, 21-23; 19:1-3, 9a 

After this, I saw another angel,

Coming down from heaven. So great was his authority, that the whole earth was lit up with his glory. In a strong voice he cried out: "Fallen is Babylon the great! Fallen! She has become a haunt of demons, a lodge for every unclean spirit, a nest for any filthy and disgusting bird.

 

A powerful angel picked up a boulder, the size of a large millstone, and threw it into the sea, saying: "With such violence will Babylon, the great city, be thrown down, never again to be seen. Never again will tunes of harpists, minstrels, trumpeters and flautists be heard in you. Never again, will an artisan of any trade be found in you.

 

Never again will the noise of the mill be heard. Never again will the light of a lamp shine in you. The voice of the bridegroom and bride will never again be heard in you. Because your traders were the world's great, and you led the nations astray by your magic spell.

 

After this, I heard what sounded like the loud singing of a great assembly in heaven: Alleluia! Salvation, glory and might belong to our God, for his judgments are true and just. He has condemned the great harlot who corrupted the world with her adultery. He has avenged his servants' blood, shed by her hand, in harlotry. Once more, they sang: Alleluia! The smoke from her goes up, forever and ever!

 

Then, the angel told me, "Write: Happy are those invited to the wedding of the Lamb."

 

Ps 100:1b-2, 3, 4, 5 Blessed are they who are called to the wedding feast of the Lamb.

 

＊＊＊ Gospel ＊＊＊     

Luke 21:20-28

When you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that the time has come when it will be reduced to a wasteland. If you are in Judea, flee to the mountains! If you are in Jerusalem, leave! If you are outside the city, don't enter it! For these will be the days of its punishment, and all that was announced in the Scriptures will be fulfilled.

 

How hard will it be for pregnant women, and for mothers with babies at the breast! For a great calamity will come upon the land, and wrath upon this people. They will be put to death by the sword, or taken as slaves to other nations; and Jerusalem will be trampled upon by the pagans, until the time of the pagans is fulfilled.

 

Then there will be signs in sun and moon and stars, and on the earth anguish of nations, perplexed when they hear the roaring of the sea and its waves. People will faint with fear at the mere thought of what is to come upon the world, for the forces of the universe will be shaken. Then, at that time, they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. So, when you see things begin to happen, stand erect and lift up your heads, for your deliverance is drawing near."

 

Gospel Reflection ：

"Rising above ourselves."

Being deceived by what seems to be pleasing in appearance could lead to plagues, famines and wars. Just think of the ongoing environmental destruction everywhere and of escalating wars. We cannot deny the fact that the root cause of many of the sufferings of people today are man made. Human beings are deceived by the allurements of power and wealth.

 

The Gospel passage for today implies that the destruction of Jerusalem was also manmade. It happened out of man's thirst for power and wealth. Human beings, hooked in this web of wealth and power, had intensified sufferings and made life unbearable. But the Gospel's message for today does not end without hope.

 

Jesus gave us the assurance that when we begin to experience these things, we have to stand erect because our salvation is at hand. In our present time, Pope Francis has articulated the same reality and its corresponding challenges. His Holiness, in his Laudato Si', says: "Human beings, while capable of the worst, are also capable of rising above themselves, choosing again what is good, and making a new start, despite their mental and social conditioning." (LS 205) There is hope. We are capable of rising about ourselves.