Tuesday of the 34th Week in Ordinary Time

READINGS

Gospel Lk 21:5-11

While some people were speaking about how the temple was adorned with costly stones and votive offerings, Jesus said, "All that you see here– the days will come when there will not be left a stone upon another stone that will not be thrown down." Then they asked him, "Teacher, when will this happen? And what sign will there be when all these things are about to happen?" He answered, "See that you not be deceived, for many will come in my name, saying, 'I am he,' and 'The time has come.' Do not follow them! When you hear of wars and insurrections, do not be terrified; for such things must happen first, but it will not immediately be the end." Then he said to them, "Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be powerful earthquakes, famines, and plagues from place to place; and awesome sights and mighty signs will come from the sky."

REFLECTION

"See that you not be deceived, for many will come in my name, saying, 'I am he,' and 'The time has come.' Do not follow them!"

How can we keep from being deceived?

It is easy to be deceived. People whom you really don't know well have said words that you believe as truthful, but they can be misleading you. They may use words that seem convincing but have twisted the meaning of the words.

Did you know how many words are in the dictionary?

Do you know how often the dictionary is updated?

There are 600,000 words in the Merriam-Webster dictionary and it is updated quarterly. Some words are taken out because they are not used anymore and new words are added.

Today there are so many people who are making up new definitions for words that existed before and making new words. Lexicographers (dictionary editors) add new definitions to words that have changed meanings to current usage. There have been 690 new words added to the Merriam-Webster dictionary since September 2023. Some of the newest words are "Self-coup, latine, rage farming, petfluencer, nearlywed, hellscape. ecofascism, cakeage." The criteria for adding new words is that they have to appear in print and be used in conversations. These words have to "circulate" in the culture and their meanings understood.

These new words have meanings that express a change in the morality of today's society. Young people who hear or use these words are being misled.

This is why it is important to use critical thinking. When you hear something that sounds convincing, question it. Question everything and use Catholic Critical Thinking. Catholic Critical Thinking's criteria is Jesus.

The Bible is a book that does not change. Nothing is added or taken out of it. The gospels in the New Testament have words spoken by Jesus. If we use Jesus' Words as our criteria for discerning whether others are speaking the truth, then we will not be deceived. Read the Bible. FACE ZBS is a ZOOM Bible Study from the Biblical perspective and taught by a theologian. Join us, ask questions, and learn what Jesus teaches because His Words are timeless and truthful.

Let us pray for the Pope, Cardinals, Bishops, and Priests to have the virtue of truthfulness.