Gospel (Lk 21,5-11) - At that time, while some were talking about the temple, which was adorned with beautiful stones and votive gifts, Jesus said: "The days will come in which, of what you see, not one stone will be left upon another that will not be destroyed." They asked him, “Teacher, when will these things happen, and what will be the sign when they are about to happen?” He replied: «Be careful not to be deceived. For many will come in my name, saying, "It is I," and, "The time is near." Don't go after them! When you hear of wars and revolutions, do not be terrified, because these things must happen first, but it is not the end immediately." Then he said to them: «Nation will rise against nation and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be earthquakes, famines and pestilences in different places; there will also be terrifying events and great signs from heaven."

The commentary on the Gospel by Monsignor Vincenzo Paglia

We are in the last week of the liturgical year. And this passage opens Jesus' speech on the end of times (it is called eschatological speech). In truth, Luke, together with Matthew and Mark, want to communicate to us what they realized from being in close contact with Jesus, namely that the "last days" have already begun with the very coming of the prophet of Nazareth. In this sense we must not postpone the moment of conversion to the Gospel until the end of time, or wait for the right moment which will never arrive. The time to believe the Gospel has already come, and it is now. Faith is falling in love with Jesus, it is letting yourself be overwhelmed by his love for him, it is letting yourself be involved in his plan of love for the world. This faith, full of love and existential involvement, is the true solid stone on which to build the present and future of our lives. It is therefore necessary to be attentive to false prophets, to those outside of us (such as the fashions and customs of this world) but also to those who hide in the heart of each of us (such as habits, pride, love for himself). The only master of our life, the only Lord who saves us is Jesus, and the only prophecy that illuminates our days is the Gospel. And it is precisely the strength of the Gospel that prevents us from resigning ourselves to evil, from accepting the present situation without hope for a more humane future. The Lord, faced with a world that cannot find peace, asks us to be peacemakers with him and witnesses of hope in a future of salvation. Faith is choosing to walk with Jesus, in the certainty that the strength of the resurrection will bend the prince of this world and the strength of evil will be subjected to the power of the Lord's love.