Breaking the Word

34^th Week in Ord. Time, Thursday – 25^th November 2021 — Gospel: Lk 21,20-28

Hold Your Heads High

Today’s gospel has two parts: the first speaks about the prophecy of the destruction of the Holy City and the second predicts the cosmological signs which announce the coming of the Son of Man at the end of the world. When Luke wrote his gospel around the year 75 CE, the Romans had destroyed Jerusalem already. The evangelist than illustrates it as it had happened. However, the Parousia, the Second Coming of the Lord, had not taken place. Luke describes this in profoundly prophetic language. Between the second coming of Jesus and the end of the world, the Christians are told to wait; while they wait, they may suffer persecutions. When this happens the disciples are asked to hold their heads high, because their salvation has indeed come. The final proof and sign of redemption will be Jesus’ coming in glory. Until then, we must live in constant anticipation, as if every moment were as important as our last moment of life in this world.

34^th Week in Ord. Time, Wednesday – 24^th November 2021 — Gospel: Lk 21,12-19

Wisdom from above

At the moment of persecution Jesus promises his followers, “I will give you words and wisdom”.  This reminds of the assurance given to Moses when he drew back from the task of uttering God’s message to His people (Ex 4,15-16). The inward faculty of thought and the outward power of uttering in words, both are given to the believers.  Many instances in the Acts of the Apostles show the splendid fulfillment of this promise. Indeed some disciples, who were brought before both Jewish authorities and Roman officials because of the name of Jesus, were given wisdom and utterance. For example, report of Stephen’s speech (Ch.7) and Paul’s defense spoken before the Roman governor Felix (Ch.25) and before King Agrippa (Ch.26). Jesus offers his presence as a source of strength and wisdom. He rightly points out the aid of the Holy Spirit in this (Lk 12,11-12). If we trust in his promise, then the right words will be given to us at the right time.