"Stand up straight and raise your heads, for your ransom is near at hand" (Luke 21: 28).

"Stand up straight and raise your heads, for your ransom is near at hand" (Luke 21: 28). When Luke recounts the words of Jesus about His return and the end of things we hear the familiar language of devastation, signs in the sun, moon and stars, fright and panic. Jesus doesn't say: "When these things begin to happen," take off for the hills, cower in caves, beat your breasts and shake with fear. No: "Stand up straight and raise your heads, for your ransom is near at hand." Unlike fear-mongering preachers of the past and of our time, the words of Jesus in Luke urge us to see in the coming of the Son of Man -- "on a cloud with great power and glory" -- the definitive sign of our salvation, the arrival of true, lasting happiness and union with God. Despite misuse over the centuries of His message to scare and frighten people, that message should always fill those who live according to their consciences and close to God with confidence and joy. We have no right to live in fear and worry because of our faith. Doesn't it really insult the faith? Rather: "Stand up and raise your heads, for your ransom is near at hand."