Lk 21, 5-19
When some were talking about the Temple, remarking how it was adorned with fine stonework and votive offerings, he said, All these things you are staring at now — the time will come when not a single stone will be left on another; everything will be destroyed.’And they put to him this question, ‘Master,’ they said, ‘when will this happen, then, and what sign will there be that it is about to take place?’
But he said, ‘Take care not to be deceived, because many will come using my name and saying, “I am the one” and “The time is near at hand.” Refuse to join them. And when you hear of wars and revolutions, do not be terrified, for this is something that must happen first, but the end will not come at once.’ Then he said to them, ‘Nation will fight against nation, and kingdom against kingdom.There will be great earthquakes and plagues and famines in various places; there will be terrifying events and great signs from heaven.’But before all this happens, you will be seized and persecuted; you will be handed over to the synagogues and to imprisonment, and brought before kings and governors for the sake of my name and that will be your opportunity to bear witness.Make up your minds not to prepare your defence, because I myself shall give you an eloquence and a wisdom that none of your opponents will be able to resist or contradict.You will be betrayed even by parents and brothers, relations and friends; and some of you will be put to death. You will be hated universally on account of my name, but not a hair of your head will be lost. Your perseverance will win you your lives.
Also this year we visited a small grotto on the Mount of Olives with the pilgrims from Mexico! It is located in the grounds of the Carmelites at the so-called place of Paternoster because the Lord taught the Lord’s Prayer to the disciples here! In remembrance of this event, many plaques with the Lord’s prayer are placed on the site in various languages!
In this small grotto, which used to have a similar meaning to the grotto in Bethlehem, it is a good place to read a text about the last times, for here the Lord not only taught the Lord’s Prayer, but he also spoke with his disciples about the Last Days! As a rule, we also reflect at these important passages with the pilgrims for a little longer.
The Last Days, which began with the coming of the Lord, should not disappear from the consciousness of the faithful! The end of all times is predicted; it will come, and the disciples wanted strongly to ask Jesus when the time will come.
These questions are very understandable on the part of the disciples! They have come to know that the Son of the Most High is with them, and so they would like to know from him what is to come and when it will be. We know, however, that the Lord did not give a precise time.
All subsequent attempts by various groups or individuals to give precise time indications at the end of time were caught up again and again by reality! The concrete end of times has not yet come, although there have often been situations in which some believers were convinced: now it must be so!
This may be similar to us today! But it is wise to better follow the word of the Lord, which he speaks elsewhere:
“But no one knows that day and hour, not even the angels in heaven, not even the Son, but only the Father” (Mt 24,36).
So instead of wanting to explore this hour, it is helpful to simply say: everything will come like this: at the hour that God has intended! At the moment we are still living in the time of divine patience!
However, we should focus on other essential statements of the Lord:
“Take care not to be deceived, because many will come using my name and saying, “I am the one” and “The time is near at hand.” Refuse to join them”
Jesus said these warning words to his disciples, especially to those three whom he repeatedly called to Himself separately! These words therefore also apply to those who are very close to Jesus! Even they could be misled by a false Messiah!
How can we imagine that? We Catholics know very well that there is only one Messiah, and anyone who would have such a claim would be immediately recognized and rejected!
However, seduction can be much more subtle! It can even happen within the Church if, for example, if those ministers no longer proclaim the doctrine of the Church clearly, or to condone or promote a practice that deviates from the Church’s previous path; when theologians proclaim erroneous teachings and are not rebuked! Let us not forget that all this can be done in the name of the Church, so that in such a case wolves have already broken into the flock (cf. Mt 7,15), spread their errors and rarely receive correction from the shepherds who carry out their guardianship in the name of Jesus.
Let us not turn a blind eye to the dangers mentioned, for the Lord has clearly warned us! We do not need to know the hour and time of the end of the world, but we should perceive the signs of the times and recognize and reject those who mislead us by abusing the name of Jesus!
Jesus warned His disciples, and through them also to us! The more we perceive confusion in the world and in the Church, the closer we should adhere to the Lord and His words, to the true doctrine of the Church, and thus to remain faithful to her and her mission of salvation!
Another information concerning an own case:
My reflections on the Amazon Synod have provoked different reactions. This was not to be expected otherwise. However, out of responsibility before the Lord and before the people who listen to me, I was determined to make clear the facts there. Most of the time we got positive reactions and the listeners expressed their gratitude that we informed about the events. However, there were other voices who no longer wanted to pass the meditations on to other groups and rejected the content. Everyone has to decide for himself. I try to report objectively as far as possible. Of course, I do not hide the fact that I am critical of some of the important points of this pontificate, and I think it is time to say so clearly.
As I have already indicated, the daily meditations, which deal mainly with the interpretation of the Scriptures and the spiritual way of following Christ, are not the appropriate medium to report in detail on ecclesial affairs, so important they are. That is why I decided to open my own website called Balta-Lelija (esp.: Balta-Leliya) in order to report in writing on the ecclesial situation and critical developments in the world. So when new themes appear on Balta-Lelija (esp.: Balta-Leliya) or the topics addressed in the meditations are continued in more detail, a link will appear in the text that leads to this page.
Harpa Dei accompanies the daily scriptural interpretation or spiritual teaching of Br. Elija, their spiritual father. These meditations can be heard on the following website www.en.elijamission.net
