In today’s Gospel, Jesus speaks words that might unsettle us: “When you hear of wars and insurrections, do not be terrified.” He foretells the destruction of the Temple and the many trials His followers will face — wars, earthquakes, famines, and persecutions. These are not merely predictions of events long past; they are reminders that the Christian journey has always been marked by testing, uncertainty, and perseverance.

The disciples were proud of the Temple’s beauty, its grandeur, and permanence. Yet Jesus reminded them that even the most magnificent structures of human achievement can fall. Nothing in this world is eternal — not our possessions, not even the monuments of faith built by human hands. What endures is our faith in God and the steadfast hope rooted in His promises.

As we celebrate this Sunday the World Day of the Poor, proclaimed by Pope Francis, the Gospel’s message becomes especially relevant. The Lord warns us against placing our trust in material wealth or human strength. The poor remind us of the fragility of life and of the need to depend completely on God. They are not a burden to be tolerated but brothers and sisters through whom Christ Himself calls us to encounter Him. As the Holy Father reminds us in this year’s message, the poor “are not to be loved from afar, but to be welcomed as part of our own family.”

Faith, then, must lead to solidarity and compassion. To persevere in love amid turmoil also means standing beside the suffering — those deprived of dignity, peace, or daily bread. When we choose to serve the poor, we give witness to a faith that is alive, not afraid, and grounded in the Gospel. In a world that trembles before uncertainty, the small acts of kindness and mercy we extend become signs of God’s enduring presence.

Jesus adds, “You will be hated because of my name, but not a hair of your head will perish. By your perseverance, you will secure your lives.” This is a profound invitation to endurance — not passive waiting, but active fidelity. To persevere is to keep loving, praying, and doing good even when the world grows cold. It is to keep our hearts open to those who have the least, for in them Christ continues His passion.

Let us then look beyond the passing things of this world and fix our hearts on the one thing that endures — our relationship with Christ, who identifies Himself with the poor and promises life to those who stand firm in faith and love. For in the midst of chaos and uncertainty, His promise remains: “Stand firm, and you will win life.”gs of this world and fix our hearts on the one thing that endures — our relationship with Christ. For in the midst of chaos and uncertainty, His promise remains: “Stand firm, and you will win life.”