A Homily on Luke 21:20 – 28: Lift Your Heart Because God Is Near (27-11-25)

A homily on Luke 21:20 to 28 showing how Jesus invites us to lift our hearts in every negativity because God is near. ( 27-11-25)

Praise be to Jesus Christ .

There is a touching story from the life of Edison. After many years of sweat and sacrifice, he built a great factory. It was the place where he kept his dreams. One night, a huge fire broke out, and everything began to burn. His wife came to him in sadness and said, “Our factory is on fire.” He ran to the spot. The flames were rising high and strong. Instead of crying or falling into despair, he looked at the fire and said, “It is a long time since I saw such a strong fire. Let all my failures burn with this fire.” The next morning he began again. The fire did not destroy his spirit. It lifted him to start afresh with courage.

This story prepares our heart to listen to today’s Gospel. Jesus speaks of frightening events. He speaks of destruction, fear and signs in the sky. Anyone who hears these words may feel disturbed. Yet Jesus places one hopeful light among these heavy lines. He says, “Stand and lift up your heads because your redemption is near.”

This word lift is small but carries great grace. Jesus is not saying that we will never feel fear. He is not saying that every person will immediately feel brave. He is showing us a possibility. Even when fear enters, we may lift our head. When the heart becomes heavy, we might try to lift our eyes. When everything looks dark, we would perhaps lift our soul and look toward him. .

This Gospel must enter our daily life. When sickness enters the house, it is easy to look down. When money becomes short and there is a financial crisis, many families feel their heads falling. When tension rises between husband and wife, they feel they cannot look up. When a child makes a wrong choice, the parents feel their hearts sinking. When religious life feels dry and prayer gives no taste, a sister or priest may feel unable to rise.

To all these negativities Jesus says one thing. Lift up your head. God is near.
At sickness, lift your heart because the Lord is close to the broken.
At financial struggle, lift your eyes because the Lord is your provider.
At tension and anxiety, lift your spirit because the Lord is your peace.
At loneliness, lift your soul because the Lord never leaves you.
At failures, lift your hope because the Lord can rebuild what is lost.

Just as Edison looked at the fire and said, “Let my failures burn,” we also can look at our inner fires and say, “Lord, let my fears burn away and give me new courage.” God can take our ashes and make something new. What is burnt can become the soil for a new beginning when we give it to him.

So today let us try to lift our hearts even a little. Even a small lifting invites God to act. Redemption is not far. It is near and  it is very near.

Lord, help me lift my heart to you in every trouble.

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God Bless…