Dear Parishioners,
It is quite natural to think about what the future will bring. After all, we must make plans so that we will be prepared for what comes our way. But sometimes we get a little too worried about a future which is, in reality, unpredictable. We can make educated guesses about how life will be as we grow older, we can manage our financial gifts carefully and we can try to simplify out life so there is less to take care of, but no one knows with certainty what the future holds for them.
In this week’s Gospel, we see the people focusing on the costly stones that adorn the temple. Jesus gives them a stern warning as he tries to refocus them. He tells them that one day all of this will be gone. Jesus was being frank. Everything must come to an end at some point. The people responded by wanting to know “when” this will happen. They wanted signs to warn them. But the message Jesus was trying to convey was much deeper. He told them not to worry about the “signs” and more importantly, not be confused and mislead by the things that will happen. Jesus told them times are going to get very tough. Wars, nations rising against nations, earthquakes and natural disasters may come their way.
This must have been a very difficult thing for the people to hear, but Jesus went on. He was clear that many will suffer for His name. But— now the assurance comes — Jesus tells them that no matter what happens, He will be with them. He will give them the words of truth to speak. He tells them to persevere and not to be discouraged.
Perhaps, Jesus was telling us to focus more on the journey — whether that journey brings us happiness or pain, success or failure, we must keep believing and trusting in Him. Jesus also said not to worry about “when” this will all happen — we are not supposed to know when. That’s part of faith. Only God knows when the end will come. Our only job is to take each moment of the journey and live the way God would want us to live. Focus on the journey — not the destination. God promised never to leave us, and that is all we need to know.
Sincerely in Christ,
Father Lito