Wednesday of the Thirty-fourth Week in Ordinary Tim Luke 21:12-19 Perseverance in the midst of trials
In today’s Gospel, Jesus continues His discourse about the signs of the times. He speaks frankly of persecution, betrayal, and suffering. Yet His message is not one of fear, but of courage and trust.
Jesus tells His disciples that following Him will bring trials — even from those closest to them. “You will be betrayed by parents, brothers, relatives, and friends.” These words might sound harsh, but they come with a deeper assurance: “Not a hair of your head will be lost.” What seems like a contradiction is, in fact, the mystery of faith — that even in suffering, God’s hand never lets go of us.
Persecution, Jesus says, will be our opportunity to bear witness. When faith costs us something — when speaking the truth isolates us, or when choosing compassion over convenience becomes difficult — that is precisely when our witness shines brightest. It is in the darkness that light becomes visible.
Jesus also promises His presence in our trials: “I myself shall give you a mouth and wisdom.” We are not left alone to defend ourselves. The Spirit of God speaks through our words and sustains us when human strength fails.
To the early Christians who faced imprisonment and death, these words were a lifeline of hope. And they remain so for us today. The trials we face may not be as dramatic, but they test our perseverance just the same — the slow endurance of faith in a world that often forgets God.
“By your perseverance you will secure your lives.” This is the heart of Christian discipleship: to keep trusting, loving, and hoping — even when the world trembles — knowing that Christ has already conquered.
Tuesday of the Thirty-fourth Week in Ordinary Time Optional Memorial of Saint Catherine of Alexandria, Virgin and Martyr Luke 21:5-11 Hope That Does Not Fear
In today’s Gospel, Jesus speaks of destruction, wars, and disasters — images that can easily fill us with fear. Yet His purpose is not to frighten, but to awaken hope. Jesus invites us to look beyond appearances and to trust that even when the world seems to crumble, God’s plan continues to unfold.
When the disciples admire the beauty of the Temple, Jesus reminds them that even the most magnificent stones can fall. Nothing in this world lasts forever. Our security cannot rest in buildings, power, or possessions, but only in the love of God — the one foundation that never collapses.
Then Jesus says, “Take care not to be deceived.” In times of turmoil, many voices claim to have the answers, to speak in His name. But Jesus warns us: do not be led astray. The truth is not found in fear or sensationalism, but in steadfast faith and discernment.
Throughout history, believers have lived through wars, plagues, and revolutions. The early Christians who first heard Luke’s Gospel knew all these realities too well. Yet Jesus tells them — and us — “Do not be terrified.” These words are not naive optimism; they are the deep peace of one who knows that God is still Lord of history.
Our faith calls us not to escape from the world, but to live in it with courage and compassion. Even amid chaos, we are invited to be witnesses of hope — people who trust that love is stronger than destruction, and that God’s Kingdom quietly grows in the hearts of those who believe.
So when fear rises, let us remember: Christ stands with us. His Cross and Resurrection assure us that no darkness is final, and that every ending in Him is the beginning of new life.
Memorial of Saint Andrew Dŭng-Lạc, Priest, and Companions, Martyrs Luke 21:1-4 The Gospel of the Widow’s Gift
In today’s Gospel, Jesus turns our attention to a scene most people would ignore — a poor widow quietly placing two small coins into the Temple treasury. To many, her offering seemed insignificant, especially beside the rich who gave from their abundance. But Jesus sees differently. He sees the heart.
What moves Jesus is not the amount given, but the love with which it is given. The widow gives “all she had to live on.” Her generosity flows from faith — a trust that God will provide. While others offered what they could spare, she offered her very life.
This Gospel confronts our way of measuring value. In God’s eyes, generosity is not about how much we give, but how much of ourselves we place in the gift. The world admires the large donation, the impressive project, the visible act. But God looks deeper — to the quiet sacrifice, the hidden love, the offering made with humility and faith.
In the early Church, this spirit of sharing marked the Christian community. “There was not a needy person among them,” Acts tells us, because believers held everything in common. Yet as wealth and comfort grew, that original spirit of solidarity often faded. The challenge remains for us today: to recover the widow’s heart.
We are surrounded by people in need — materially, emotionally, spiritually. Each small act of love — a visit, a prayer, a meal shared, a moment of listening — can become our “two small coins.” What matters is not how much we give, but whether we give with love.
May this poor widow teach us to trust more deeply, to love more freely, and to give not from our surplus, but from our hearts — until our lives themselves become an offering pleasing to God.
全属于祢 
您必须登录才能发表评论。