When Everything Falls Apart: Reflections on Luke 21:5-11

The disciples stood in awe before the Jerusalem temple, admiring its magnificent stones and beautiful offerings. It was a wonder of the ancient world, a symbol of permanence and divine presence. Then Jesus spoke words that must have shocked them: "The days will come when there will not be left a stone upon another stone that will not be thrown down."

The Illusion of Permanence

We all build our lives around things we believe will last. Career achievements, financial security, institutions we trust, relationships we depend on. Like the disciples gazing at the temple, we find comfort in what appears solid and enduring.

But Jesus reminds us that nothing in this world is permanent. The temple would fall, and so would everything else built by human hands. This isn't meant to discourage us but to reorient our hearts toward what truly lasts.

Don't Be Deceived

When the disciples asked when these things would happen, Jesus didn't give them a timeline. Instead, He warned them about deception. Many would come claiming special knowledge, saying "I am he" or "The time has come." His advice? Don't follow them.

In every age, including our own, voices promise certainty about the future. They claim to know when the end will come or offer secret knowledge about God's plans. Jesus tells us to be discerning and not to be led astray by fear or false promises.

Don't Be Terrified

Perhaps most importantly, Jesus says, "Do not be terrified." Wars, earthquakes, famines, plagues—these things will happen. They are part of living in a broken world. But they are not signs that everything is spinning out of control.

When our personal temples crumble—when we face illness, loss, upheaval, or uncertainty—terror is a natural response. But Jesus invites us to something different. Not denial of reality, but trust in a kingdom that cannot be shaken.

Building on the Rock

The temple in Jerusalem did fall, just as Jesus predicted, in 70 AD. But the kingdom Jesus spoke of continues to this day. It's not built of stone but of faith, hope, and love. It can't be destroyed by earthquakes or torn down by armies.

Today's Gospel invites us to examine what we're building our lives upon. Are we clinging to things that will eventually crumble? Or are we investing in the eternal—in relationships, in character, in love, in faith?

When everything around us seems unstable, we can remember Jesus's words. The chaos doesn't mean God has lost control. It means we're being called to build on something deeper, something that will last when everything else falls away.

Reflection: What "temples" in your life are you holding onto too tightly? How is God inviting you to trust Him more fully today?