NOTES for Mar 13:19

Christ warned us in advance about the disasters preceding His return. About disasters that we ourselves provoke by our deeds. Learning of the reckoning, one can let one's hands fall, but it is better to gather oneself inwardly and turn to the One who saves.
The Lord has already shortened those days for the sake of the chosen. Ten righteous people were not found in Sodom, but in a world that has outdone Sodom, Christ has called many pure souls who, unnoticed by those around them, keep the final catastrophe from taking place.
The forces of evil understand this too, and in the days of distress, "such as has not been from the beginning of creation," they will once again try to neutralize the healing leaven. They will try by the old method: sending false christs and false prophets who perform lying signs and wonders. Well, in our time there are already quite a few such people. And though we do not know the day and hour of the last battle, the One who warned us in advance called us to be ready every day. As the saying goes, forewarned is forearmed; may we not drop and may we not cast aside to gather dust the weapon of faith and fidelity to Christ.
Lord, grant us to discern spirits. Amen.