Homily for Tuesday of the 34th Week in Ordinary Time

This coming weekend, we will begin a new liturgical year by celebrating the first Sunday of Advent. Despite the dark days ahead, the liturgical readings will take on a much brighter tone, inviting us to look forward to the arrival of the light.

In today’s Gospel passage, Jesus speaks about the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem and other troubling events. Those living in Jesus' time could not have imagined the Temple's destruction, especially since it had taken nearly fifty years to build and was still unfinished. However, even the strongest and finest buildings do not last forever.

Today’s Gospel reminds us not to become overly attached to things that are temporary. Instead, we should connect ourselves to the One who declared in Matthew’s Gospel, “something greater than the Temple is here.” When everything else fails, disappears, and turns to dust, He remains eternal. Through our relationship with Him, we, too, can endure.