Lesson from Fr. Paulus | Jesus’ Predictions Are a Sign of His Love

Some modern scholars and critics don't like Gospel passages like this one. Some even try to argue that passages like this were later additions to the Gospels, because Jesus was too gentle and forgiving to say such harsh things.

But in fact, Jesus did say these things, and he said them precisely because of his deep love for us. Christ knows that the battle between good and evil will continue throughout human history.

But he also knows that this ongoing battle will provide the opportunity for his grace to spread throughout the world. And once that expansion has reached its fulfilment, he will come again to establish the definitive and everlasting victory of his Kingdom.

These are facts, key elements of God's plan for our lives.

We profess our belief in these truths every Sunday, when we say, "he will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his Kingdom will have no end."

Since this is the way things are, it would have been cruel and heartless for Jesus not to tell us about it. Telling us about it gives us a chance to organize our lives accordingly, to build our lives on the everlasting rock of Christ our Savior: "Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away."

Jesus doesn't speak about these events to scare us, but to motivate us. It is so easy to fall into a purely natural outlook on life, getting so wrapped up in our daily to-do lists that we forget the big picture, and we neglect our friendship with Christ. Jesus knows that nothing could be worse for our happiness, now and forever – and that is what interests him most.

Even his predictions of the end of the world, then, are a reminder of his endless love.

Spreading the Good News

On the surface, our Lord's predictions about the end of the world may seem harsh and frightening.

But he tells us these things because he loves us too much to leave us in the dark. And we are the fortunate ones. Since we know how things will end, we can arrange our lives wisely, giving our friendship with Christ and our obedience to his commands the priority they deserve.

But popular culture is not so wise. The advertisers and television producers don't try to make us think about the last end of the history; they want to tell us how to spend our last pay check.

Unfortunately, we all know people who obey the advertisers more carefully than the gospel. We all have friends, colleagues, teammates, even family members who will not be coming to Mass this morning, who will not be reminded of the eternal truths.

What does Jesus think of them? He hasn't given up on them; he is not indifferent to their eternal destiny; he knows their names and gave his life for them. How different their lives would be if they knew this! How much more hope they would have! How much more peace in their hearts! How much more direction in their daily living!

This week, we have a chance to tell them all about it. Just as Jesus showed his love for us by telling us the good news of the gospel, so, we have opportunities each day to show our love for him and for our neighbors by sharing that good news with others, through words, prayers, example, and actions.

There is absolutely nothing that we can do for others greater than helping them plug their lives into eternity. Today, let's ask God to give us the courage this week to do just that.