STAY AWAKE!
Happy & Blessed Sunday. We are at the penultimate week of our liturgical year – the 33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time. How has your year been so far? Have you drawn closer to the Lord through prayer, the Sacraments & being in close fellowship with your family, friends & community? Have you tasted & seen the goodness & favour of the Lord’ in your life this year?
The emphasis the Church gives from this Sunday onwards (in the Weekday & Sunday readings) is the Second Coming of Christ & Eschatology – the doctrine of the Last 4 Things of Death, Judgement, Heaven & Hell. Now, here’s some sobering thought for us all! However, it’s not intended to scare us all into confronting the End, but a wonderful opportunity to assess the quality of our life on earth, our primary relationships & our lifespan – “seventy, or eighty for those who are strong”, as declared in Psalm 90:10. We can also gain clarity & wisdom of heart (cf Psalm 90:12) to continue leading good lives, repent of our sins, love & serve our family & those close to us, & as long as we believe in Jesus Christ our Lord, profess Him as our Lord & Saviour & follow his commandments, we can stand confidently before the Lord, knowing what our end will be – eternal union with God.
The 1st Reading from the Prophet Daniel 12:1-3 speaks of the great tribulation & distress to come. What will happen then? Some will experience everlasting life, some shame & everlasting disgrace (cf Daniel 12:2). Jesus too, in our Gospel today (Mark 13:24-32) speaks of His Second Coming & the End, when there will be a time of persecution & distress before He (the Son of Man) comes in great power & glory. He instructs his disciples to be wise & watch the signs around them, so as not to be caught unaware in drunken stupor & ‘sleeping at the wheel’.
We see in our recent times many of such signs of the End – earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, hurricanes, floods, wild-fires, plus the ever-looming threat of war, even nuclear war & a Third World War. How are we, as baptized Catholics to respond?
In times of such great trials & deep distress, it is key that we do not succumb to the temptation to despair, but always listen to the voice of Jesus telling us, “Courage. It is I. Do not be afraid!” (Matthew 14:27). Listen also to the more than 365 times in the Bible when God calms our fears, telling us: “Do not be afraid!”
We’ve also got to take a good, truthful & honest look at our lives & identify areas where we have failed God & failed others. Then with a humble & contrite spirit, let us repent & return to the Lord. Let’s not be too presumptuous of God’s mercy or have the false notion that we have a lot more time to repent when we are older. As St Paul urges: “Now is the favourable time; this is the day of salvation.” (2 Corinthians 6:2)
Let’s also pay heed to the Lord’s admonition to us, as in today’s Gospel Acclamation: “Stay awake, praying at all times, for the strength to stand with confidence before the Son of Man.” (Luke 21:26).
Some of you reading this blog may be or may have loved ones facing the end of life, due to illness or old age. The above 3 points, then, take on an even greater significance in your life. To you, we pray that the Lord in His goodness & mercy will comfort you & give you peace. May He also draw you close to His heart of love & move you to true repentance & conversion, as you prepare for everlasting union with Him in His kingdom. And, finally, do not be afraid & do not let your heart be troubled. The Lord is close to you – turn to Jesus & trust in Him. Your parish community is also here for you, praying for you & supporting you in your journey.
As we end our reflection today, let our inner disposition & attitude be one of steadfast trust in the Lord as we repeat with King David in today’s Psalm Response (Psalm 16:1): “Preserve me, God. I take refuge in you.” God Bless You.
Article by Damian Boon, HFC Blog Team Lead