Today’s Gospel
for the family
Today's Gospel + image + catechesis
Gospel text (Lk 21,20-28):
Jesus said to his disciples, «When you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then you must know that the time has come when it will be reduced to a wasteland. Then, if you are in Judea, flee to the mountains...».
Jesus said to his disciples, «When you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then you must know that the time has come when it will be reduced to a wasteland. Then, if you are in Judea, flee to the mountains; if you are in the city, leave it; and let those who are in the fields not return to the city. For these will be the days of its punishment and all that was announced in the Scripture will be fulfilled.
»How hard will it be for pregnant women and for mothers with babies at the breast! For a great calamity will come upon the land, and divine justice upon this people. They will be put to death by the sword or taken as slaves to other nations; and Jerusalem will be trampled upon by the pagans until the time of the pagans is fulfilled. Then there will be signs in sun and moon and stars, and on the earth anguish of perplexed nations when they hear the roaring of the sea and its waves. People will faint with fear at the mere thought of what is to come upon the world, for the forces of the universe will be shaken. And at this time they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. The signs of the times Now, when you see the first events, stand erect and lift up your heads, for your deliverance is drawing near».
»How hard will it be for pregnant women and for mothers with babies at the breast! For a great calamity will come upon the land, and divine justice upon this people. They will be put to death by the sword or taken as slaves to other nations; and Jerusalem will be trampled upon by the pagans until the time of the pagans is fulfilled. Then there will be signs in sun and moon and stars, and on the earth anguish of perplexed nations when they hear the roaring of the sea and its waves. People will faint with fear at the mere thought of what is to come upon the world, for the forces of the universe will be shaken. And at this time they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. The signs of the times Now, when you see the first events, stand erect and lift up your heads, for your deliverance is drawing near».
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Today we hear two "lessons". The first is part of history: the Christians remembered the words of the Lord and, indeed, when the Roman troops besieged Jerusalem, there was no longer any disciple in the city ... «All that was announced in the Scripture will be fulfilled»: it was fulfilled!
Second lesson: conversion ("flee to the mountains"), that is, reject evil and climb the mountain of holiness.
- «Now, when you see the first events, stand erect...». The terrible destruction of Jerusalem was another occasion for the spread of the Gospel ... For the children of God, "every cloud has a silver lining".
