From The Deacon’s Desk for November 13, 2022

Dear Friends:

Today’s Gospel comes from Luke 21:5-19. It’s a very interesting story where Jesus is talking about the end of the world. If you remember, Jesus continually told us that his kingdom was not of this world. Jesus, of course, was always concerned with the day-to-day life of God’s children i.e. human beings. Today he talks about the end of the world and how it will come about.

I think each one of us has experienced the “end of the world” during our lifetimes. It might be the breakup of a relationship, a financial loss, the loss of a home, or the loss of a loved one. When these things happen, we feel as if it’s the end of the world. This phenomenon gives us a foretaste of what the end of the world will be like. Jesus is quite descriptive of what will happen when that time comes.

Jesus also says that we will be persecuted before the world ends; all because we believed and trusted in him. He tells us “you will be hated by all because of my name, but not a hair on your head will be destroyed. By your perseverance you will secure your lives.” Very simply this means that if we have a strong relationship with Jesus then we have nothing to worry about; because no matter what happens at the end of the world, there will be a place for us all in the New Jerusalem – the kingdom Jesus talked about during his entire life. Welcome home!

Peace and All Good!

Deacon Jim