The end of time has fascinated many people over the centuries. Some have even, with precision, named a day when the world will end and have acted on that to their detriment. The time of Jesus was no different. Jesus knew that many of his disciples were anticipating that the world would end in their own generation. After all, the greatest recent prophet, John the Baptist, baptized them to prepare a way for the coming of the Messiah who would judge all things with fire. Jesus, for his part, acknowledges that there will be many signs, wonders and dreadful portents. He even predicts betrayal within the church community that will come after his death and resurrection. He warns his followers not to put their trust in worldly possessions, no matter how spectacular they appear, including the Jewish Temple. Rather we are to let the Holy Spirit prompt us to give witness to the truth and our faith in him: "for I will give you words and wisdom that none of your opponents will be able to withstand or contradict." (Lk 21: 15) The question for us is whether we have the kind of faith that will let Jesus deploy us as his witnesses? Will we fall away on account of scandal, suffering and doubt? What we require is endurance. We know that if we trust is Jesus he will be faithful to his promises: "But not a hair of your head will perish. By your endurance you will gain your souls." (Lk 21: 18-19)
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