Twenty-third Sunday after Pentecost 2025 Luke 21:5-19 Rev. Neli Miranda In today’s Gospel, Jesus announces: “ 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” (21,10-11). Does this imagery resonate with our current time? Indeed, it reflects not only our present circumstances but also those of the first century, the medieval era, the twenty century and throughout history, as hardship has consistently been a part of the human experience. The belief in Jesus’ imminent second coming was widespread among his earliest followers. They had heard his promise regarding this return and the ultimate establishment of the Kingdom of God. Consequently, they were convinced that this event would occur so...