[Salvation]

The Word Among Us

Meditation: Luke 17:26-37

Saint Margaret of Scotland

“Whoever loses his life will save it.” (Luke 17:33)

Have you ever missed the bus, lost your job due to downsizing, or felt forgotten by someone close to you? It doesn’t feel good to be left out. Imagine, then, what it must feel like to be left out of Jesus’ Sec­ond Coming. None of us wants that! But it’s unnerving, isn’t it, that we won’t know when Jesus will come again. We don’t want to miss it, so we have to be in a state of con­stant readiness.

The good news is that Jesus has made it easy for us to be prepared. He wants to see us ready! He liked to compare the kingdom of God to a banquet—the more people come, the merrier. Yes, there is a dress code, but we have all the clothes we need. Let’s look at three particular items that are vital to any spiritual wardrobe.

First, keep your conscience clear. Even small sins can cloud our vision of the Lord and his calling for us. That’s why it is important for us to examine our conscience and repent often. It’s also why we should make regular use of the Sacrament of Rec­onciliation, an excellent way to receive even more of God’s grace to resist temptation and grow in virtue.

Second, love others. Over and over, Jesus tells us to place the wel­fare of others above ourselves. He even commands us to love others as he has loved us. And since his love is unconditional, ours should be too. Keeping our hearts and our hands open especially to the poor and needy keeps us open to the Lord himself (Matthew 25:40).

Finally, stay close to Jesus. As you draw near to him, he will draw near to you. His love and mercy will become clearer, and you will find yourself changing to become more and more like him—and more and more ready for his return.

Time and time again, Jesus asks us to be ready for his coming. He wants to give us his inheritance of fellowship with God for all eter­nity. If we clothe ourselves with these three practices, we won’t have to worry; we will be ready in an instant!

“Jesus, I want to be with you at your heavenly banquet. I know that you make it possible, so help me to do my part today. I love you and all that you do for me!”

2 John 4-9; Psalm 119:1-2, 10-11, 17-18

[Salvation]

A Christian Pilgrim

SOMEDAY THE WORLD IS GOING TO END  

[FRIDAY, 16 NOVEMBER 2012] 

Gospel Reading: Luke 17:26-37 

As it was in the days of Noah, so will it be in the days of the Son of man. They ate, they drank, they married, they were given in marriage, until the day when Noah entered the ark, and the flood came and destroyed them all. Likewise as it was in the days of Lot – they ate, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they built, but on the day when Lot went out from Sodom fire and brimstone rained from heaven and destroyed them all – so will it be on the day when the Son of man is revealed. On that day, let him who is on the housetop, with his goods in the house, not come down to take them away; an likewise let him who is in the field no turn back. Remember Lot’s wife. Whoever seeks to gain his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life will preserve it. I tell you, in that night there will be two men in one bed; one will be taken and the other left. There will be two women grinding together; one will be taken and the other left. And they said to Him, “Where, Lord?” He said to them, “Where the body is, there the eagles will be gathered together.” (Lk 17:26-37 RSV) 

Prayer: Lord, we realize that someday the world is going to end. All of the beautiful things of Your creation are going to return to dust, to nothing. No one knows when that will be, and we realize that there is no reason to worry about it. If we live every day in Your presence; if our whole purpose in living is to do Your will and spread the Kingdom, then we have nothing to fear from the world ending, not matter how it may come about. We ask You for the grace and the energy to preach Your Word by our lives and example, so all people will be ready for and long for Your Second Coming into the world. Amen.