Jesus said to his disciples:
“When you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies,
know that its desolation is at hand.
Then those in Judea must flee to the mountains.
Let those within the city escape from it,
and let those in the countryside not enter the city,
for these days are the time of punishment
when all the Scriptures are fulfilled.
Woe to pregnant women and nursing mothers in those days,
for a terrible calamity will come upon the earth
and a wrathful judgment upon this people.
They will fall by the edge of the sword
and be taken as captives to all the Gentiles;
and Jerusalem will be trampled underfoot by the Gentiles
until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.

“There will be signs in the sun, the moon, and the stars,
and on earth nations will be in dismay,
perplexed by the roaring of the sea and the waves.
People will die of fright
in anticipation of what is coming upon the world,
for the powers of the heavens will be shaken.
And then they will see the Son of Man
coming in a cloud with power and great glory.
But when these signs begin to happen,
stand erect and raise your heads
because your redemption is at hand.”

But when these signs begin to happen, stand erect and raise your heads because your redemption is at hand.

While it is understood that this passage is also talking about the destruction of the temple, it also speaks clearly about the end times. Whether we are in end times or not, i don’t claim to know. But end times are definitely on my mind lately. We see great suffering in the world, we see the evil one having the time of his life. Lies, stealing, corruption, and sin are the norm and not the outlier. It is almost enough to make one despair. But we cannot.

The lord has told us who wins in the end. And as bad as the devil can make this world, it is nothing compared to what god has planned for those who love him. Heaven it is going to be perfect happiness, love will be the rule, and anger and sin will not be possible. We will be able to walk in the garden with the lord, talk to him and have a relationship with him. All of the things in this world that give status or fame will be irrelevant, and you will only be judged by how much you love god.

So “stand erect, and lift your heads” because when our redemption comes none of this current pain and suffering will matter, and as St. Teresa of avila said it will be no worse than an uncomfortable night in a cheap motel.

Oh lord, help me today to not fear the pains of this world, and to rightly order my life to you, so that I can be with you for eternity. Amen.