There are several prominent Protestant leaders who believe that the Temple destroyed in the year 70 A.D. by the future emperor Titus, will be rebuilt. 

However, the truth is comfortingly different. Jesus Christ is the New and Eternal Temple of God. This Temple was destroyed on the cross but rebuilt by God the Father on Easter morning. 

And we, believers, are all living stones of this new and eternal Temple which has Christ as its capstone and the 12 Apostles as its foundation. 

This is the context in which we ought to read today’s prediction by Jesus about the destruction of the Jerusalem Temple, and all the rest about trying and terrifying times, ominous events and persecutions before the end of the world. 

The guiding force of all our actions while on this earth must be found in these few words: “by your perseverance you will secure your lives. Lk 21:19 

There are also well-intentioned Catholics who push their faulty rendition of Christian faith based on gloomy predictions like what we read in parts of today’s gospel passage.   

And, if their audience does not seem to be impressed by their scary predictions, they double down on horrific punishments unless (and here they add their favorite conditions for averting them). 

These people live with a void in their heart and emptiness in their soul, due to their overlooking the fact that they themselves are living stones of a Temple that is indestructible, filled with praises, adorned by spiritual sacrifices and echoing endlessly with joyous hymns of a worshipping community driven by hope-filled expectations. 

They forgot the following passage from Romans 8:28: We know that all things work for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose.  

Unfortunately, senseless acts of violence, horrific natural disasters, constructive dialogue replaced by the violent silencing of opponents, seemingly irreconcilable divisiveness and pervasive restlessness make those with weaker faith inclined to live in fear of God’s wrath and sweeping divine retribution. 

Jesus wants us longing for serenity and peace of mind which are so crucial for our perseverance. Every time apprehension and anxiety take possession of our heart, we must recall the following verses: 

Therefore, my heart is glad, my soul rejoices; my body also dwells secure, for you will not abandon me to the nether world, nor let your faithful servant know decay. You will show me the path to life, abounding joy in your presence, the delights at your right hand forever. Psalm 16:9-11 

Even when I walk through the valley of death, I fear no evil for you are at my side; your rod and staff give me courage. Psalm 23:4 

“Do not let your hearts be troubled. You have faith in God; have faith also in me. John 14:1 

What we must persevere in is carrying out Jesus’ new Commandment of loving each other as he loved us on the cross. 

If we do not let ourselves be paralyzed by fear of something that might separate us from Christ; if we refuse to believe that there might be something or someone more powerful than the love of the Father for us; if we focus on owning no debt to anyone, except the debt of loving one another, (Romans 13:8) the day of the Lord blazing like an oven for evildoers, will enable us to see the rising of the Sun of justice (Jesus Christ) with his healing rays. 

Jesus’ healing rays are meant to rid us of the infirmity of indifference, of selfishness, of disengagement, of despondency and of that haughtiness which keeps us from uniting our sacrifice to the one of Jesus. 

The healing rays of Jesus, Sun of justice, will strengthen our resolve and bring courage to our trembling hearts. 

The healing rays of Jesus, Sun of justice, will see us through the most difficult trials, persecutions and sufferings which are inevitable and guaranteed from the moment that it becomes evident to the world that we intend to persevere in our loyalty to Christ. 

The healing rays of Jesus, Sun of justice will sustain us as we persevere to the end so that, when the Lord calls us to himself in death, we will be ready to fill the new and eternal Temple with our praises, adorn it with our spiritual sacrifices and make it echo with our endless joyous hymns.