Jesus said, “Be on guard; don’t be deceived.” (Lk 21:8)

Jesus said, “Be on guard; don’t be deceived.” (Lk 21:8)

Today’s Passage: Lk 21:5-11  

Meditation: We find now and then Jesus giving strict instructions to his disciples as to keep alert and be vigilant on; sometimes on second coming, on other occasions on false teachings. You can also call to your minds many parables he has spoken on this subject. Through today’s meditation passage Jesus is preparing even us to be on alert as we hear something about the end times. Of course, it was there in the beginning of the early church and continued through centuries up to this day. Why is Jesus so much concerned about this?

It is because anyone is easily deceived when he is desperate, in difficult situations, in fear, in confusion etc. These moments, therefore, are to be handled with care and discernment. We need the help of the Holy Spirit in its abundance at this juncture. Certainly, we feel relieved as we hear something that gives solace and support to us; however, these can be deceiving also. In the holy bible as well as in our daily lives, we find many examples for this.

These moments can be even the moments of our tests and trials. One of the best examples in the bible is the person of Job. In his most difficult situation of his life, we find that he was tested through his wife and his friends. But he was cautious enough not to speak anything against God. In our most difficult situations, Satan may not be in the form of something negative or frightening, but can be in the form of our friends and relatives; in the forms of what we are most in need of.

Even Jesus was tempted in the form of bread as he was hungry after his forty days of fasting. In today’s passage, Jesus says, “Be on guard; don’t be deceived. Many men, claiming to speak for me, will come and say, ‘I am he!’ ‘The time has come!’ But don’t follow them. Don’t be afraid when you hear of wars and revolutions; such things must happen first, but they do not mean that the end is near.” (Lk 21:8, 9) Yes, be on alert always and everywhere.

 Prayer: Lord God, we thank you and praise you for your daily eternal bread. Help each one of us to be on alert against false teachings. O Holy Spirit, give us the gift of discernment that we may always learn and live the true teachings. We pray especially for those who were and are deceived by the false prophets that they may return to the fullness of the truth at the earliest. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen!  

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