The signs of the end. What does it mean?

Today’s Sunday gospel is a bit scary because it gives us an idea of what our Lord Jesus Christ tells us about the end of times. If you typed End of Times in Google, you’d get a lot of stories of how the world would end and in fact there has been numerous movies made about this, like “Left Behind, Apocalypse or the latest one was 1012”… all movies about disasters that would destroy the earth and put a final end to mankind written by authors for books that are made into movies. Today’s gospel comes from Luke 21: 5-19 and it’s called “The Signs of the End.”

“5 While some people were speaking about how the temple was adorned with costly stones and votive offerings, [Jesus] said, 6 “All that you see here—the days will come when there will not be left a stone upon another stone that will not be thrown down.” 7 Then they asked him, “Teacher when will this happen?” 8 He answered, “See that you not be deceived, for many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am he,’ and ‘The time has come.’ Do not follow them!

9When you hear of wars and insurrections, do not be terrified; for such things must happen first, but it will not immediately be the end.” 10 Then he said to them, “Nation will rise against nation and kingdom against kingdom. 11 There will be powerful earthquakes, famines, and plaques from place to place and awesome sights and mighty signs will come from the sky.” 12 “But before the end happens, however, they will seize and persecute you, they will hand you over to the synagogues and to prisons, and they will have you led before Kings and governors because of my name.

13 It will lead you to your giving testimony. 14 Remember, you are not to prepare your defense beforehand, 15 for I myself shall give you a wisdom in speaking that all your adversaries will be powerless to resist or refute. 16 You will even be handed over by parents, brothers, relatives and friends, and they will put some of you to death. 17 You will be hated by all because of my name, 18 but not a hair on your head will be destroyed. 19 By your perseverance you will secure your lives.”

What our Lord Jesus Christ is doing is looking at the future of the world especially when he said “When you hear of wars and insurrections, do not be terrified; for such things must happen first, but it will not immediately be the end.” Then he said to them, “Nation will rise against nation and kingdom against kingdom. There will be powerful earthquakes, famines, and plaques from place to place and awesome sights and mighty signs will come from the sky.” But before the end happens, however, they will seize and persecute you, they will hand you over to the synagogues and to prisons, and they will have you led before Kings and governors because of my name.”

Now why did our Lord Jesus Christ give the people in the temple this doomsday scenario when in fact, they were merely admiring the beauty of the costly stones and votive offerings and the richness in the temple? But then, that is the character of our Lord, who tells you straight in your face the truth, even if it belongs to the future, especially when he said “All that you see here—the days will come when there will not be left a stone upon another stone that will not be thrown down.” This was not only the truth, but also a prophecy!

Imagine someone visiting the Vatican being told that there will not be left a stone upon another stone… meaning all of that beautiful magnificence would crumble and fall? Or tourists visiting the US Congress or the White House or even the Pyramids of Egypt being told the same thing? Now that would truly be unimaginable. But what the Lord is telling us is, even all these magnificent buildings are temporary because they belong to this world and at the end of times, all these would crumble and be destroyed! That’s exactly what happened to the magnificent temple in Jerusalem.

If structures that have lasted for thousands of years are even considered “temporary” by our Lord, how much more for us human beings whose lives do not even last a hundred years? This is why many teachings of the Catholic Church always remind us that we are merely pilgrims on this earth because we really live temporary lives here, that’s because our real destination is to be with God in Paradise. This is why I like the advertisement of that luxury watch Patek Philippe, which declares, “You do not really own a Patek Philippe, you merely keep it for the next generation.”

Rich or poor, people have possessions, whether it is an expensive watch, a car or a few precious clothes for the poor to wear. But all these things you cannot carry with you to the afterlife. Hence there is no point in being attached to your worldly things when you can’t bring with you anyway? As Fr. Benedict Groeschel of EWTN once said, “When your soul leaves your body, even if you are surrounded by your friends or loved ones or your material possession, no matter how you hold on to them, I guarantee you that you would float away from them and the only thing you carry with you is your trust in Jesus!” If you do not have any trust in Jesus, then you really have nothing!

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