Coffee With God

Reflection: Luke 21:20-28

At first glance, the words of Jesus would seem contradictory. Chapter 21 of Luke begins by narrating the destruction of the Jerusalem temple and the persecution of the people. But the Lord would comfort his disciples and encourages them not to be afraid, but remain faithful to God. He promises them that God would put the appropriate words in their mouths when they are taken before the court or the synagogues. But, in today’s passage, the message takes a turn: he recommends them to flee from the city and take refuge in the mountains when their city is besieged. The Gospel sounds like description of destruction and misfortunes. Historical notes from the time of the first century records that the siege of Jerusalem was an immediate result of armed revolt against the Romans by the Zealots. But, many Christians living in the city did not join the zealots and refused to choose violence and take up arms against the Romans; instead they fled to the hills to avoid the Roman assault. Their non-violent stance and faith in Jesus meant that they were hated by all. The city was totally destroyed and the temple was burnt down. When Luke wrote his Gospel, it was already 10-20 years after the destruction of the temple and the author could very well relate the prophesy of Jesus with the actual development of the events. The apocalyptic language that Jesus uses, about the Son of Man coming in cloud” is something which he picks up from chapter 7 of the Book of Daniel. “Then they will see the ‘Son of Man coming in cloud’ with power and great glory” (Daniel 7.11-14). By the time Luke wrote his Gospel, Christians had come to a profound realisation that the Son of Man of the prophesy of Daniel was Christ himself who has overcome torture and death, and now comes in clouds with power and great glory. The struggles and pains of our daily lives must be seen as opportunities to bear witness to Christ, to become fully human like him, to trust, to love and to forgive. The challenge we face every day as disciples of Christ is to become alert to the “coming of the Son of Man.” The Gospel gives us an invitation to watch-out and to be alert so that we do not miss those opportunities to receive the Son of Man – when he comes. Our call and destiny are to grow into Alter-Christus – another Christ, to actualise our God-given capacities to trust, to love and to forgive. Be on alert so that we do not miss out those opportunities.