Letters from St Paul’s - Endurance: Standing Firm in a Shaking World

Endurance in Adversity

In our Gospel reading today, we hear some people speaking about how magnificent Herod’s Temple was. Herod reconstructed the Temple in 19 BC, and it truly was a magnificent structure—the glory of Israel, the focal point of religious life for all the Jews, and a testimony to every visitor. It represented God’s presence among His people.

Jesus hears people marveling over the Temple, and He says:

“As for these things that you see, the days will come when there will not be left here one stone upon another that will not be thrown down.”

A Glimpse from Rome

My wife and I were in Rome last February. Rome is an amazing place with enormous churches and basilicas—beautiful, ancient, breathtaking.

We saw Constantine’s Arch, built in AD 312 to celebrate his victory over Maxentius at the Battle of the Milvian Bridge—the battle after which Constantine claimed to have received a vision of the cross (the Chi-Rho) and embraced Christianity.

We visited the Church of St. Mary Major, the favored church of many popes—an enormous structure begun in AD 432 and completed in 440, shortly after the Council of Ephesus affirmed Mary as Theotokos (Bearer of God). It was surreal standing inside a building nearly 1,600 years old. We attended a Mass there.

And then we saw St. Peter’s Basilica—the largest church on earth by interior capacity. Out of curiosity I asked ChatGPT to compare the size of St. Peter’s to Herod’s Temple.

You won’t believe this:

• 60 of Herod's Temples could fit inside St. Peter’s Basilica's sanctuary area alone

• If including the wider Temple complex, 14–15 entire Temple areas could still fit inside St. Peter’s

• St. Peter’s is 136 meters tall

• The Temple was roughly 45 meters tall

You could literally stack three entire Temples inside of it.

I cannot imagine what the disciples—or any visitor to Israel—would think if they saw what was built centuries later. I think Christianity wins this one.

Jesus’ Warning of Things to Come

After announcing that the Temple would be destroyed, Jesus continues:

“Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be great earthquakes, and in various places famines and pestilences. There will be terrors and great signs from heaven. But before all this, they will lay their hands on you and persecute you…”

From Pentecost until now, history has indeed been marked by:

• countless earthquakes

• devastating famines

• deadly plagues

• wars beyond number

• persecutions of Christians across centuries

For example:

• The Black Plague (1347–1351) killed 25–30 million people, roughly one-third of Europe

• World War II killed 70–85 million people, the deadliest conflict in human history

And Christians have been (and are still being) persecuted throughout the world.

“When Will These Things Be?”

The people then ask Jesus,

“Teacher, when will these things be…?”

He does not give a date. Instead He gives signs and a command:

“See that you are not led astray…”

Why no exact date? Because every generation will:

• hear of wars

• witness tragedies

• experience upheaval

The point is not to predict, but to endure. Jesus says:

“By your endurance you will gain your lives.”

The King James Version reads:

“In your patience possess ye your souls.”

Patient endurance.

Why Endurance Is Necessary

Jesus continues:

“You will be delivered up even by parents and brothers and relatives and friends, and some of you they will put to death. You will be hated by all for My name’s sake.”

Hatred from strangers is one thing—I’ve received plenty of nasty messages and comments online simply because I’m a priest. But hatred or betrayal from friends or family is far more painful.

Have you experienced that in your Christian walk? Why would someone you trust hate you because of your faith?

Jesus reveals the deeper reason.

People without the love of Christ are open to the suggestions of the evil one. Revelation 12:17 tells us:

“The dragon became enraged at the woman and went off to wage war on the rest of her offspring—those who keep God’s commandments and bear witness to Jesus.”

• The woman represents Mary (by allusion) and the Church.

• The offspring are Christians.

• The dragon is Satan.

The world lies under the influence of the wicked one, and he is at enmity with us.

That’s okay. We do not fear. We know how the story ends.

We are:

• sealed by the Holy Spirit

• friends of Christ

• destined for victory

Tell the devil to take a hike—or go to hell. Preferably the latter.

What Do We Do With Betrayal?

We imitate Jesus.

We pray for them, just as He prayed for those who crucified Him:

“Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.”

Perhaps God will call them to repentance.

Perhaps they will turn and be saved.

Mercy in the face of hatred is part of the endurance that will gain our lives.

Predicting the End? Impossible.

Many have tried to predict Christ’s Second Coming. All have been wrong. We are not meant to know the day or hour.

We are meant to:

• live in patient endurance

• follow Jesus more closely each day

• stay aware but not overwhelmed

• refuse fear and despair

• remember that everything earthly is temporary

Only the Kingdom of God is eternal.

False Christs and the True Presence

Jesus warned us:

“Many will come in My name…”

And many have.

But we know where Christ is:

• at this altar

• in His true Body and Blood

• in the sacrament He gave us

The next time He comes, it will be unmistakable.

Stay the course.

Keep receiving the Sacrament

Trust in our Lord alone.