Community Word: Jesus Christ, our Sovereign King, is our hope for eternal life.
Theme: We have hope for eternal life when we remain steadfast in our faith.
Promise: “By your perseverance, you will secure your lives.” (Lk 21:19)
Reflection:
As the Church’s liturgical year draws to a close and another year of life slips quietly by, our thoughts are directed towards the end of time. Jesus paints a picture foretelling the end of the world in terms of the destruction of the Temple of Jerusalem. The temple was the center and soul of Judaism, a grand and glorious building – the national and spiritual heart and identity of the people. The gospel says it took forty-six years to build. As the followers of Jesus were admiring the temple, the Lord tells them, to their shock and amazement, that one day this temple would be destroyed. He then warns His followers to be prepared for the tension, conflict and struggle ahead, and for “signs” of false messiahs, wars, earthquakes, plagues, persecutions and betrayals. He adds though that even then, it is not the end of the world.
The world which Jesus describes has a familiar ring and sounds similar to the one we know. People of every age share the curiosity of the disciples in wondering when the end will come. Because of its unknown time of happening, there has been no shortage of self-appointed prophets to quote scripture out of context and exploit people’s fears by announcing that the end is near.
The message is clear – our readiness to meet the Lord depends on the life we lead. How we will stand before Christ when he comes depends on what we are trying to be at this very moment. St. Paul’s letter to the Thessalonians presents his own example both positively and negatively. “This is what we did, and this is what we did not do.” Our future happiness is shaped by our present efforts to turn to God and to live life rightfully. It is comforting to know that the Lord is in control and will not abandon His people no matter what the future holds in terms of disappointments or failure. Just as He did not leave His disciples unprepared, we are not to lose hope because of the trials and tribulations of life, but remain assured of His protection.
The challenge facing us is to put our lives in order and to turn our backs from such things as dishonesty and taking shortcuts in solving our problems no matter how serious they may be. Selfishness can cut us off from God. How we appear before God when Christ comes will not be a matter of luck, but will depend on whether we are messengers of hope and bearers of light in troubled times, givers rather than takers, generous rather than addicted to self-interest. The gospel gives us encouragement by announcing that God is on our side and longs for us to be saved. Having called us to salvation He will not abandon us against our wishes.
We profess each time we say the Apostles’ Creed that Jesus will come again to judge the living and the dead. Indeed, He will. And to be saved involves total acceptance of Christ in our life, belief in the Good News and living it in our lives. God will pass judgment on all men convicting them of unrepented sin and of every harsh word uttered against Him. But those who are following the light, who are ready to face persecution and endure sufferings for Him, will be spared. As promised by Jesus in Luke 21:19, “By your perseverance you will secure your lives.”
In another context, we all have ‘temples’ which we rely on for security and put our trust upon, apart from God. It can be a relationship, our attachment to power, wealth, or influence, things on which we place great value, but which can disappear at the blink of an eye. What then will you do? God reminds us that like grass, our life is passing, and like the earthly things we value, are here today and gone tomorrow. The gospel gives us strength and direction. When life draws to an end, we can take nothing with us from this life except the good we have done. Christians by their steadfast endurance (perseverance) will win the victory.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, allow me to see my sinfulness through your love. May I live a life of hope, enduring all things in Christ who strengthens me for all good works. In Jesus’ mighty name. Amen.
Reflection Guide Questions:
- Are you always faithful to God’s word and follow His will, or do you rely more on your own capability and desires?
- In what ways do you allow the word of God to guide your daily life?
This Week’s Daily Mass Reading Guide:
November 13, 2022 (Sun) – Mal 3:19-20/ Ps 98:5-6, 7-8, 9/ 2 Thes 3:7-12/Lk 21:5-19
November 14, 2022 (Mon) – Rv 1:1-14; 2:1-5/ Ps 1:1-4, 6/ Lk 18:35-43
November 15, 2022 (Tue) – Rv 3:1-6, 14-22/ Ps 15:2-5/ Lk 19:1-10
November 16, 2022 (Wed) – Rv 4:2-11/ Ps 150:1-6/ Lk 19:11-28
November 17, 2022 (Thu) – Rv 5:1-10/ Ps 149:1-6, 9/ Lk 19:41-44
November 18, 2022 (Fri) – Rv 10:8-11/ Ps 119:14, 24, 72, 103, 111,131/ Lk 19:45-48
November 19, 2022 (Sat) – Rv 11:4-12/ Ps 144:1, 2, 9, 10/ Lk 20:27-40
“Ignorance of the Bible is ignorance of Christ. Read your Bible daily!”
