There Is Nothing to Fear

​A Reflection on the Gospel for November 16th, 2025:
​Thirty-Third Sunday in Ordinary Time

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Luke
​21.5-19

When some were speaking about the temple, how it was adorned with beautiful stones and gifts dedicated to God, Jesus said, “As for these things that you see, the days will come when not one stone will be left upon another; all will be thrown down.”

They asked him, “Teacher, when will this be, and what will be the sign that this is about to take place?”

And Jesus said, “Beware that you are not led astray; for many will come in my name and say, ‘I am he!’ and, ‘The time is near!’ Do not go after them.

“When you hear of wars and insurrections, do not be terrified; for these things must take place first, but the end will not follow immediately.”

Then Jesus said to them, “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; there will be great earthquakes, and in various places famines and plagues; and there will be dreadful portents and great signs from heaven.

“But before all this occurs, they will arrest you and persecute you; they will hand you over to synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors because of my name.

“This will give you an opportunity to testify. So make up your minds not to prepare your defence in advance; for I will give you words and a wisdom that none of your opponents will be able to withstand or contradict.

“You will be betrayed even by parents, by brothers and sisters, and by relatives and friends; and they will put some of you to death. You will be hated by all because of my name. But not a hair of your head will perish. By your endurance you will gain your souls.”

​Pause. Pray. Reflect.

So many of Christ’s statements in Sunday’s Gospel passage are striking, but I find it especially beautiful to take a line from the beginning and a line from the end and to behold them together. Let’s look at a little bit of the masterpiece Saint Luke is weaving for us: “As for these things that you see, the days will come when not one stone will be left upon another; all will be thrown down…. But not a hair of your head will perish. By your endurance you will gain your souls.”

The Gospel begins with some people speaking to Jesus about the Temple — that great, enormous, significant building where the people of Israel worshipped and sacrificed to God. The Temple meant everything to the Jewish people. Its destruction would have been (and was) one of the greatest tragedies in their history. And yet Jesus, in His response to their question about the Temple, does something that He so often does. He breaks out far enough from their expectations and comfort zone to open their minds. He brings about a profound shift in the thoughts of their hearts. He foretells the destruction of that Temple and proclaims that it shall not be their end.

Imagine the Master and Teacher, the very Lord God, confirming the disasters you fear may happen in your own life or in the lives of those in your communities. Perhaps joblessness or a difficult diagnosis most scares you. Perhaps losing someone you love or experiencing war is your deepest fear. Imagine Jesus saying, “Yes, this will happen to you. And still, not a hair on your head will be harmed. And your soul will go on living, forever.” 

This reminds us of the teaching from Saint Paul that our bodies are the very Temple of the Holy Spirit. And not only our bodies but our souls are His dwelling place. But unlike our anxieties about earthly suffering and the Temple, which is made of physical stones laid one upon another, in that sanctuary of our souls nothing, nothing, nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus. 

So, there is truly nothing to fear when we remember Him, remain with Him and let Him rest in the Temple that we are. 


Sr. Angela Burnham

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