32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time(Cycle C, YearI)

Community Word:Jesus our Sovereign King is our hope of glory.

Theme:Our hope of glory is in Jesus our King when we patiently endure our sufferings for the Kingdom.

Promise:“…the Lord is faithful; he will strengthen you and guard you from the evil one.”(2 Thes 3:3)

Reflection:
‘No pain, no gain’is a popular saying which means that it is necessary to suffer or work hard in order to succeed or make progress. Or, ‘no guts, no glory’which also means that success will not be achieved without hard work and struggle. It is being brave and honest to stand up for things one believes in and to move ahead to achieve ones goal. For Christians, it is the willingness to suffer to proclaim the Gospel for the sake of the elect and for the glory of God. We believe that to endure suffering for Christ leads us to victory and eventually to share the glory of Christ our King. It is by the Holy Spirit and God’s word empowering and encouraging us that we remain steadfast and faithful, regardless of any opposition and hardship we encounter.

In following Christ, suffering is inevitable. Jesus forewarned those who want to be His disciples that they should be ready to take up their crosses. Our life will always be full of challenges and trials when we decide to follow Jesus. But like our Lord, we can expect to be victorious in the end and enjoy the eternal glory of resurrection. We are mere travelers on this earth, passing through towards our final destination. This realization makes pain and even death not only bearable but also meaningful.

St. Paul says, “I consider the sufferings of this present time as nothing compared with the glory to be revealed for us,” (Rom 8:18). Going through life filled with hardships, we may not fully understand what is in store for us. As St. Paul describes it, “… no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the human heart conceived, what God has prepared for those who love him” (1 Cor 2:9). In like manner, St. John points this out,“What we are to be in the future has not yet been revealed; all we know is, that when it is revealed we shall be like Him because we shall see Him as He really is,” (1Jn 3:2).

Christ is not calling us to a life of convenience and pleasure that we prefer, but to a life laden with challenges, difficulties and sufferings. Yet it is a life that is spiritually meaningful and fruitful than we can ever imagine. He works through the afflictions of His people for His glory and for our own sanctification. The journey to achieve the ultimate good that God wants for us may not be comfortable, but as St. Paul declares, “…in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose,”(Rm 8:28).

St. Paul was ready to endure pain seeing that suffering leads to resurrection in the manner that Christ endured. The sacrifice and death of Jesus reminds us of our task to bear our crosses patiently and to face them just as He did on His cross, knowing that it is part of God’s plan to transform us into better Christians. It helps us grow in faith and strengthen our personal relationship and commitment to God. It makes us appreciate His wonderful attributes more and to worship Him in His glory. We are compelled to desire Him above everything else, acknowledging His power, goodness and love. He gives us the grace to transform our character and be prepared for our journey’s end in Heaven.
Sometimes, we may not comprehend the greater good when we need to endure suffering, or see God’s perspective why we undergo disciplining. In Isaiah, God speaks to us to help us understand the purpose behind our own suffering, “See I have refined you, though not as silver; I have tested you in the furnace of affliction. For my own sake, for my own sake, I do this,” (Is 48:10). So we need to entrust our life to God’s ever present care and control as we claim this promise, “…the Lord is faithful; he will strengthen you and guard you from the evil one,” (2 Thes 3:3).

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, give me the courage to move on with every struggle that I encounter, knowing that I am not alone and You are always present in my life. Give me wisdom and understanding when I go through challenges and difficulties. Encourage me by the thought that community of believers is praying for me, walking side by side with me when I face oppressions for the sake of Christ. Increase my faith and counsel my heart with the Truth that I may always realize that all that I go through is for good, knowing that You love me, Lord. Thank you for all that You have done for me. Amen.

Reflection Guide Questions:
1. What are your struggles that test your endurance and faith in the Lord? What is your response to the Lord in these circumstances?

2. Share an experience when a member of your community helped alleviate your pain and suffering during that difficult time?

This Week’s Daily Mass Reading Guide:
November 10, 2019 (Sun) -2Mc 7:1, 2, 9-14/Ps 17:1, 5, 6, 8, 15/2Thes 2:16-3:5/Lk 20:27-38
November 11, 2019 (Mon) -Wis 1:1-7/Ps 139:1-10/Lk 17:2-6
November 12, 2019 (Tue) -Wis 2:23-3:9/Ps 34:2, 3, 16, 17, 18, 19/Lk 17:7-10
November 13, 2019 (Wed) -Wis 6:1-11/Ps 82:3-7/Lk 17:11-19
November 14, 2019 (Thu) -Wis 7:22-8:1/Ps 119:89, 90, 91,130,135,175/Lk 17:20-25
November 15, 2019 (Fri) -Wis 13:1-9/Ps 19:2-5/Lk 17:26-37
November 16, 2019 (Sat) -Wis 18:14-16/19:6-9/Ps 105:2, 3, 36-37, 42, 43/Lk 18:1-8

“Ignorance of the Bible is ignorance of Christ. Read your Bible daily!”