“Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.” (Lk 21:33)

“Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.” (Lk 21:33)

Today’s Passage: Lk 21:29-33  

Meditation: One of the best attributes of God revealed to us is that he exists for ever; “‘I am the first and the last,’ says the Lord God almighty, who is, who was, and who is to come” (Rev 1:8). When Moses asked God for his name, he revealed himself as, “I am who I am” (Ex 3:14). The book of Lamentation says, “But you, O Lord, reign for ever; your throne endures to all generations” (Lam 5:19). In other words, neither he nor his reign has beginning and end; he is the eternal presence without having past or future. What a mystery it is!

This everlasting nature is not only with regard to his existence, but also to his other qualities or aspects. In the book of Lamentations we read, “The steadfast love of God never ceases, his mercies never come to an end” (Lam 3:22). The Psalter sings, “Praise the Lord! O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever” (Ps 106:1); “the sum of your word is truth; and every one of your righteous ordinances endures forever” (119, 160).

It is the same God who tells each one of us today, “Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away” (Lk 21:33). Here the meaning of ‘words’ has to be understood as promises. At the time of his temptation by the Satan in the wilderness, Jesus answers, “The scripture says, ‘Man cannot live on bread alone, but needs every word that God speaks” (Mt 4:4). But this verse is actually quoted from the book of Deuteronomy (8:3), where the people of Israel are reminded of the need of their genuine faith in God who is steadfast in his promises. 

Then, the meaning of ‘my words will never pass away’ is ‘my promises will never pass away.’ That is why the author of the book of Hebrews invites us, “Let us hold on firmly to the hope we profess, because we can trust God to his promise” (Heb 10:23). It is this firm trust in the promises of God that made Abraham, the father of the faithful. This word of the Lord, today then, compels me to review my faith in God and in his promises revealed in and through the bible.

       

Prayer: Lord God, we thank you and praise you for your daily eternal bread. Help each one of us to have real faith in you and in your promises. Teach us the meaning of the definition of faith revealed in the book of Hebrews, “Faith is the assurance of things hoped for and the conviction of things not seen” (Heb 11:1). We pray today in a special for the renewal of our own faith as well as for those who have lost their real faith. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen!

Greetings: God is with you! Have a nice and blissful Thursday…