26 NOVEMBER (Lk 21,5-11)

The Ancient Prophets always pronounced their threats not only against the neighboring peoples of Israel, but also against the very seed of Abraham. These threats were all based on the non-compliance of the Law of Sinai to Israel, while to the other peoples the foundation was the wickedness, malice and pride.

“If, despite all this, you still persist in disobeying and defying me, I, also, will meet you with fiery defiance and will chastise you with sevenfold fiercer punishment for your sins, till you begin to eat the flesh of your own sons and daughters. I will demolish your high places, overthrow your incense stands, and cast your corpses on those of your idols. In my abhorrence of you, I will lay waste your cities and devastate your sanctuaries, refusing to accept your sweet-smelling offerings. So devastated will I leave the land that your very enemies who come to live there will stand aghast at the sight of it. You yourselves I will scatter among the nations at the point of my drawn sword, leaving your countryside desolate and your cities deserted (Lev 26,27-33).

How have you fallen from the heavens, O morning star, son of the dawn! How are you cut down to the ground, you who mowed down the nations! You said in your heart: “I will scale the heavens; Above the stars of God I will set up my throne; I will take my seat on the Mount of Assembly, in the recesses of the North. I will ascend above the tops of the clouds; I will be like the Most High!” Yet down to the nether world you go to the recesses of the pit! When they see you they will stare, pondering over you: “Is this the man who made the earth tremble, and kingdoms quake? Who made the world a desert, razed its cities, and gave his captives no release? All the kings of the nations lie in glory, each in his own tomb; But you are cast forth without burial, loathsome and corrupt, Clothed as those slain at sword-point, a trampled corpse. Going down to the pavement of the pit, you will never be one with them in the grave.” For you have ruined your land, you have slain your people! Let him not be named forever, that scion of an evil race! Make ready to slaughter his sons for the guilt of their fathers; Lest they rise and possess the earth, and fill the breadth of the world with tyrants. I will rise up against them, says the Lord of hosts, and cut off from Babylon name and remnant, progeny and offspring, says the Lord. I will make it a haunt of hoot owls and a marshland; I will sweep it with the broom of destruction, says the Lord of hosts (Is 14,12-23).

The threat of destruction had also been addressed to Jerusalem. A true conversion to the Lord, in justice, truth and obedience was asked was asked to it.

Over the mountains, break out in cries of lamentation, over the pasture lands, intone a dirge: They are scorched, and no man crosses them, unheard is the bleat of the flock; Birds of the air as well as beasts, all have fled, and are gone. I will turn Jerusalem into a heap of ruins, a haunt of jackals; The cities of Judah I will make into a waste, where no one dwells. Who is so wise that he can understand this? Let him to whom the mouth of the Lord has spoken make it known: Why is the land ravaged, scorched like a wasteland untraversed? (Cf. Jer 9,9-20).

Jesus, the true prophet of the living God, also is the one that addressed threats against Jerusalem. The holy city will be entirely destroyed. Her temple razed to the ground. This is a prophecy that is used to attest that Jesus is the true prophet, as true prophet were Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Amos, Hosea, and all others who have threatened the end of the Lord’s people. The fall of Jerusalem attests and confirms to the whole truth of Jesus He is a true prophet of the living God and his true envoy. This is demonstrated by his prophecies.

While some people were speaking about how the temple was adorned with costly stones and votive offerings, he said, “All that you see here – the days will come when there will not be left a stone upon another stone that will not be thrown down.” Then they asked him, “Teacher, when will this happen? And what sign will there be when all these things are about to happen?” He answered, “See that you not be deceived, for many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am he,’ and ‘The time has come.’ Do not follow them! When you hear of wars and insurrections, do not be terrified; for such things must happen first, but it will not immediately be the end.” Then he said to them, “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be powerful earthquakes, famines, and plagues from place to place; and awesome sights and mighty signs will come from the sky.

Virgin Mary, Mother of the Redemption, Angels and Saints give the true faith in Jesus.