November 17, 2019. 33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time. Cycle C.
Jesus and the apostles arrive in Jerusalem and contemplate the majesty of the temple. Jesus prophesies to them that there will not be left stone upon stone of all that they are seeing. And, even more, he presents them with a desolate future: natural disasters, destruction, persecutions, betrayals… He warns them that there will be those who present themselves as “messiahs”, using his name, but who do not follow them.
We only have to access the media to see that today there are also natural disasters due to climate change, wars in different parts of the world, persecutions for various reasons. There are many situations of injustice that occur today. In the face of these things there are those who present themselves as saviours.
The Gospel also gives us a warning: for the disciples and followers these will be very difficult times. Difficult for those who want to make their faith the motor of their lives. There are many in our society who are against people of faith. But in the face of them He tells us: no one should deceive you; do not be afraid. It is the opportunity to be able to bear witness. He will not abandon us; He will even put the right words into our mouths…
We must trust in Him and in His word. He will always be with us. If we do not doubt, if we remain faithful, in spite of all the evil that surrounds us, we will find full happiness.
Juan Ramón Gómez Pascual, cmf
