There is great confusion about this passage from Luke. In another Gospel the author claims that all of these things will come to pass before this generation passes away. And as a result modernist scholars that have claimed that there is error in this message because Jesus’s prediction did not come to pass within the ifetime of his disciples. But as in all things in scripture prophecy has both an immediate and a future aspect to it. The Jewish historian Josephus wrote about major calamities and celestial events that coincided with the destruction of the temple in 70 AD. And though that definitely explains what Jesus was describing in the near future, but we can also expect to see similar things happen when the end times come and Jesus returns.
Lately it does seem like we are on the cusp of end times, and whether we are in end times or not, i don’t claim to know. But 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, becuase we know 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 how do we make ourselves ready for the end. Jesus gives us that answer as well…, He says “stand erect and raise your heads because your redemption is at hand.” We do that, by not becoming “drowsy from carousing and drunkenness and the anxieties of daily life” Carousing and drunkenness are a failure of temperance, and anxieties of daily life are a failure of fortitude. We must strive the to live our lives as chastely as possible and to be prepared for the end when it comes.
We must be vigilant, like the wise virgins, keeping your lamps trimmed and carrying extra oil…, so when the bridegroom comes we will be ready. What does this mean for our lives, it means getting baptized and confirmed. Working at every moment to stay in a state of grace, by frequently going to the sacraments, eucharist and confession. It means living out our vocations (of motherhood, or fatherhood), with joy, and zeal. And then when you are sick, or at the end of your life, to seek the anointing of the sick. This is not the only way to heaven, and we cannot account for the grace of God, but if you do these things with faith and charity, you will be ready.
Make your life a prayer. Pray always, and offer up every part of your day to the lord. Saint Francis de Sales once said “Every one of us needs half an hour of prayer every day, except when we are busy—then we need an hour.” Our lives need to be a constant prayer, because it is only through God’s love and grace that we are able to do any of these things in our lives, so we need to stay close to that source so that we can become a conduit of those graces to all of the other people in our lives. If you do this then you can rightly hope in Gods love and protection and you will be spared the tribulations and the final test.
The tribulations spoken of in all of the bible’s apocalyptic verses are not something to trifle with, you do not want to experience them. Famine, earthquakes, plagues, persecution, and great suffering. Pray that you can be spared these things, because who knows how you will handle the test if you are put to it. But If you can be ready, then the promise of eternal joy in heaven awaits you. And like St. Teresa of avila said this life will be no worse than an uncomfortable night in a cheap motel.
