NEW WORLD

In the Gospel of Luke (21:5-19), Jesus enumerates the signs of the shaking of the old world. God is creating a new world but preceded by the shaking of the old world. It points to the radicality of the Resurrection of Jesus. In His resurrection, a new world has emerged beyond our imagination. He is the new world in person. He enumerates the signs of the shaking of the old world revealing that He alone has the absolute control of history. His love will ultimately prevail. The first sign of the shaking of the old world points to the false prophets. Jesus said, “For many will come in my name saying ‘I am he’ and ‘The time has come.’ Do not follow them!” (Lk 21:8) The false prophets were responsible for the destruction of the temple in Jerusalem because the temple has become the place of corruption, hypocrisy and false worship. Jesus is the New Temple where people encounter and meet God. He is the place of right praise. He is the true object of worship, praise and thanksgiving not anymore the temple building in Jerusalem. The old world is replaced by the new world inaugurated by Him. The second sign points to the political chaos. Jesus said, “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom!” (Lk 21:10) Political power will come and go. Jesus is the true King not Caesar, the emperor. He is the Lord of lords, the King of kings. That is why, the early Christians were fearless in proclaiming that Jesus is Lord. Many of them were put to death and became martyrs. The third sign points to the natural disasters. Jesus said, “There will be earthquakes, famines, and plagues from place to place!” (Lk 21:11) Nature itself is giving way to something new. All living things will die. Jesus died, was buried and is alive. The apostles went to their death as martyrs because they understood that death is not and can never be the end. Jesus defeated sin, evil and death forever. Therefore, we are called to align ourselves with God’s will and learn to rely on Him alone because that is the only way to be strong. We are called to persevere as witnesses of light and hope ordering our lives in accord with the choices, values and vision of Jesus. He alone is the absolute. He creates new heavens, new earth, a new world that will never end.