A sermon on Luke 21:5-19
Fr. Mike Paraniuk
HCP columnist
I am comforted by this Bible passage in difficult times: "By your perseverance, you will secure your lives." (Luke 21:19.)
Another translation is, "You will be saved by being faithful to me (Jesus)."
I quote this Bible phrase a lot to the parents of sick kids at Cincinnati Children's Hospital. I encourage them not to lose faith, to "keep on keeping on," believing in God's love when the devil tempts them to give up on God.
One of my favorite hymns is "Rock of Ages," because it reminds me God is the source of unwavering strength and support amidst life’s crosses. "Rock of Ages, cleft for me, Let me hide myself in Thee."
Jesus was teaching the Apostles life can be scary. Earthly things you counted on to protect you can be gone in an instant. I have talked with people who described their fear when the doctor said. "You have stage four pancreatic cancer" or when the tests show "your baby needs major heart surgery."
I comforted a man who came to see me saying, "My company is downsizing. I just got fired. My family lives paycheck to paycheck. How can I pay the bills?"
Jesus said when your life turns to rubble like the destroyed Temple, don't give up but persevere. Hold on tight to Jesus with the enduring belief that He will not let you perish.
My sister does work in disaster relief for the government. They send her to places devastated by hurricanes. She determines which houses can be rebuilt and which should be torn down.
She shared with me a beautiful story of hope from an elderly couple whose home was destroyed by hurricane Helene. She saw them sitting at a table in the middle of their living room. The roof was blown off. The walls collapsed. Pictures of their wedding day 50 years ago were strewn all over the floor. Yet, here was this couple, drinking a glass of wine, smiling and laughing, enjoying each other's company.
My sister was surprised to see them in such good spirits.
She approached them and asked, "What are you celebrating?"
The man said, "My wife and I didn't have enough time to escape the hurricane. We had to face this storm right here in our home. I could hear it approaching. We went upstairs to the bedroom. I dragged a second mattress and placed it on top of our regular mattress, making a mattress sandwich.
"We wedged ourselves in between the two mattresses. I could hear the hurricane coming. Sounded like a locomotive. Under the mattress, we held each other tight. It reminded me of the close hug I gave her 50 years ago when we first kissed. We looked at each other intently. If we were to die, I wanted my last memory on Earth to be the sight of her face. We thanked each other for 50 wonderful years together. That was the last thing we said before the hurricane hit.
"The hurricane hit with ferocious winds. I could hear the roof being torn off. The hurricane lifted the mattresses up to where the ceiling used to be. I wondered if the storm would tear us apart. I thought we were goners. If we were supposed to go to Heaven, I wanted my wife right by my side because she's the holy one in the family.
"Miraculously, the mattresses fell back down to the floor. I can't tell you how long the storm lasted, but I remember hearing my wife praying to Jesus. It was a shock seeing 50 years of memories gone in an instant, but we had each other to love another day. I learned the simple things in life are most important – family, friends and love. That's why we are celebrating."
So much in life is out of your control. Hold onto Jesus with faith. It strengthens you to weather any storm. Hold onto Jesus with hope. It will save you. Hope will not allow your cross to crush you but open a door to new blessings.
If you are hurting now, tell Jesus about it. If you feel anger to God, let Him know. He can handle it. God wants you to be honest with Him instead of walking away from Him thinking He doesn't care. God says in Isaiah 41:10, "So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God."
Blessings...Fr. Mike.