Preparing for the KNOCK OUT

Gospel Reflection

I am writing this Gospel reflection while waiting for the fight of Manny Pacquiao against Antonio Margarito. By the time you read this, the fight would have already been over and you would have known the winner.

A lot of people have been saying that Manny has not been preparing well for this fight. Manny counters by saying that he is prepared because he has been able to do what he is suppose to do during practice.

Today’s Gospel strikes me to be all about Preparation. Jesus wants us to prepare not only for the end but even for the events that happen before the end. If you fail to prepare, then you are preparing to fail.

The Gospel begins by telling us how some of the disciples were in awe in seeing the newly renovated temple by Herod. The temple was the most beautiful and well guarded structure in Jerusalem at that time. Some of the disciples even described to be adorned with beautiful stones and gifts dedicated to God.

Then Jesus tells them that time will come that the temple will be knocked down. Not a stone will be left above another.

Several years later, on 70 AD, the once adorned temple gets knocked down by the Romans on their siege of Jerusalem. None of the stones in the temple remain on top of the other. What remains today is the wall that once surrounded it which is commonly referred to as the “Wailing Wall” or the “Western Wall.”

Jesus may have been using the destruction of the temple as a metaphor. He might have been preparing his disciples to accept the fact that he would need to be crucified and die before he could resurrect.

The destruction of the temple may likewise refer to the end of our life, and the message of the Gospel may be for us to prepare for it as well. After all, we are God’s temple and it is certain that our physical being will be knocked out when it comes to its end, either because of sickness, old age or other reasons.

Since all of these are certain to happen, it was only appropriate for the disciples to ask when will it happen? What would be the signs of the end?

But the answer of Jesus is unresponsive, he did not tell the disciples the exact date of the destruction of the temple. Nor did he tell them the signs that would show that the end is near. Instead, he told them about the deceptive signs and the persecution that awaits all of those who wish to follow him before we reach the end. But why did Jesus answer the disciples this way.

For all of us who want to follow Jesus, he wants us to prepare not only for the end but for the events and things that happen before the end. Following Jesus is a journey and being one with him is the destination.

If our journey would be like a boxing match, then the journey is not just a matter of doing. It would require us to plan, to train- to prepare, because life will hit us hard, so we should hit back harder. We should train to deliver a Knock Out punch, because it’s going to be a twelve (12) round fight. If we fail to prepare, then we prepare to fail.

Everyday is another round, and the daily battles are not easy. If we follow Christ, sometimes it will require us to spend more money, time and effort. Sometimes it will cost us our reputation or our relationship with family and friends. But Jesus tells us not to worry on how to defend ourselves. He tells us also of something that is certain. He will give us the words and the wisdom that none of our adversaries will be able to resist or contradict.

We have power in our ringside corner now. Jesus is the undisputed champion. He is the way, the truth and the life. He just wants us to believe in him and what he says. He wants us to stand firm in our faith and not a hair in our head will perish.

Life will strike us hard. Let’s get ready to rumble and prepare for a Knock Out!

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33^rd Sunday in Ordinary Time – Year C

November 14, 2010

Luke 21:5-19
[5] Some of his disciples were remarking about how the temple was adorned with beautiful stones and with gifts dedicated to God. But Jesus said, [6] "As for what you see here, the time will come when not one stone will be left on another; every one of them will be thrown down."
[7] "Teacher," they asked, "when will these things happen? And what will be the sign that they are about to take place?"
[8] He replied: "Watch out that you are not deceived. For many will come in my name, claiming, 'I am he,' and, 'The time is near.' Do not follow them. [9] When you hear of wars and revolutions, do not be frightened. These things must happen first, but the end will not come right away."
[10] Then he said to them: "Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. [11] There will be great earthquakes, famines and pestilences in various places, and fearful events and great signs from heaven.
[12] "But before all this, they will lay hands on you and persecute you. They will deliver you to synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors, and all on account of my name. [13] This will result in your being witnesses to them. [14] But make up your mind not to worry beforehand how you will defend yourselves. [15] For I will give you words and wisdom that none of your adversaries will be able to resist or contradict. [16] You will be betrayed even by parents, brothers, relatives and friends, and they will put some of you to death. [17] All men will hate you because of me. [18] But not a hair of your head will perish. [19] By standing firm you will gain life.