Perserverance

Looking ahead to Sunday's Gospel (Luke 21:15-19) I was reading some of the commentaries given in the Concord Pastor's blog. Just remember to click on his link on the right side of this blog and then click on the Bible and you will find six wonderful commentaries for the Sunday's Gospel. I usually read several and find it helpful to prepare the Sunday liturgy during the week. I am going to copy the opening prayer here as I like it.

Grant us, we pray, O Lord our God,
the constant gladness of being devoted to you,
for it is full and lasting happiness
to serve with constancy
the author of all that is good.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God for ever and ever.

Luke has Jesus predicting future events and some of these have come true by the time Luke is writing his Gospel. However, it is true as we look back over the centuries that there is always war, and there are earthquakes, famines, and plagues. Here is what one of my favorite commentators says:

"I, however, have a question for the Lord. Has there ever been an age without such trial and turmoil? What century has not seen wars? What nation has not tried to bulldoze its way ahead of others—if not for victory in military struggle, at least for more respectable signs of gain? When have we not been plagued by cancerous life or tossed by mighty movements of earth and sea? And has there ever been a time when a true Christian has not been ridiculed and rejected, whether by friends, family, or state?

Just wondering.

Yet Christ, seeming to anticipate our wonder, offered this advice: “Do not be perturbed. ... These things are bound to happen.” Bound to happen. Life is bound to be this way. He is not speaking about the end of all times, but the condition of every time."
This is from John Kavanaugh and the only thing for us to do is trust and persevere.  No apathy!