LORD, WHEN WILL THIS HAPPEN?

Luke 21:5-19

An atheist was driving in the country when he came upon a priest and a rabbi standing on the shoulder of the road. Next to them was a big sign that read: “Turn around. The end is near.” The atheist took offence of the sign, so he rolled down the window and shouted: “Do not preach to me you religious nut!” He continued his way. A second later, they heard tires screech, then a splash. The rabbi said to the priest: Maybe we should have written “bridge out”.

Thinking of a central theme in the teaching of Jesus, we can say the Kingdom of God. This theme is rooted in the Jewish history. For six centuries, Jews have suffered under kingdoms after another: The Babylonians, the Persians, the Greeks and the Romans. God had made many promises in the past assuring them that they were special to him. Even six hundred years of foreign rule did not kill their hope in the kingdom that God himself will establish. John the Baptist came on the scene and told the people to turn around (repent) because the end is near and God will soon send a savior. Jesus came and proclaimed that the Kingdom of God was near. He even performed great wonders showing that indeed the Kingdom was very soon to arrive.

As Jesus proclaimed the Kingdom, a question that came up frequently was “when is this going to happen?” He made it very clear several times that no one is able to predict the event. In today’s gospel, the admiration the beautiful temple leads into this same question: “when will this happen?” On this occasion, Jesus gives four points to his listens and to us today: First, do not be attracted and attached to earthly things. He is reminding us that everything in this world has an end and that even our lives will come to an end. Second, do not be deceived by anybody; welcome the event calmly. Here, he is warning us to be on our guard against false prophets that will only bring panic and fear in us. Third, do not be terrified by what happens. Jesus encourages us to bring hope into the world and to keep our faith alive in midst of trials and difficulties. Fourth, do not worry about what to do. In other words, stay at home as the football coaches always say. Do not let yourself be distracted by any event or any person. Dot not set your eyes on the skies looking for signs and leave things under your nose unnoticed. Stay at home; prepare your heart and let Jesus do the rest.

What we have to know is that the Kairos, the proper time is not about what we plan to do tomorrow; it is about what we do today. What gives us security is not to know the hour of the end of the world, but the certainty that the present is secured. In other words, what we are doing now determines how we prepare the future. It determines how we prepare the coming of the Lord. And to do that, Jesus invites us to be firm in our faith and strong in trust because the end of time will mean the triumph of God and his goodness.