The Time of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross
Homily of His Excellency Msgr Selim Sfeir
Maronite Archbishop of Cyprus
2nd Sunday of the time of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross
The coming of the Son of Man and the kingdom
Matthew 24 / 1- 14
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,
1. Jesus leaves the Temple
Jesus fulfilled what he had declared to the Jews at the end of the previous chapter: "Behold, your house is left to you desolate" (Mt 23:38). The Jews were attached to this house that was the pride of the nation - a legitimate sentiment since the temple had been built to be the dwelling place of God. However, after the rejection of the Lord, the buildings of the temple no longer had a place to subsist. "Not a stone will be left here one stone upon another that will not be thrown down."
2. The disciples' questions
Jesus is "sitting on the Mount of Olives." It is there that he will be raised to heaven and will return in glory. He gives his disciples, "in private," a glimpse of future events.
The disciples' question has three parts:
- When will the destruction of the temple happen?
2
- What will be the sign of the coming of Jesus in glory, to establish his kingdom?
- What will be the sign of the end of the age?3. Christ's answer and the suffering of the faithful in the times to come
In response to the disciples' question about the end times, Jesus tells them not to be influenced by the world events, because they must happen. But to trust in God who holds the destiny of the world, and our own destiny, in his hands.
By this solemn warning: "Beware," Jesus prepares his people for this terrible period of troubles.
Beware that no one deceives you ... Beware of being disturbed." The Lord gives a dark description of the future: wars, natural disasters, persecutions - which, for Christians, have begun since the period of the book of Acts. "They will deliver you to make you suffer and they will kill you ... Many false prophets will arise and will deceive many people."
For us, believers, the battle is spiritual. The danger is not only external, as it is added, "they have come out from among us"; they will then seek by great signs, "to deceive, if possible, even the elect."
How not to be deceived? By staying close to the Lord, by feeding on Him in the Word.
What is most important is to be able to keep charity, in seeing all that can happen of evil in this world. For when the Son of Man returns, he will judge the world on charity. Hold on to the end and keep charity. For then it will be the end when the good news of the kingdom will be announced to all nations. The reign of the Messiah will then be the sign of the end of the times.
3 Prayer
Lord, we ask you to increase our charity, to give us to persevere in the fulfilment of your holy will, to look at the world events without being disturbed by them. As long as we are confident that you take care of us, nothing will be able to frighten us.
† Selim Sfeir
Maronite Archbishop of Cyprus