Today’s Inspirational Snippet:“At the end of our life, we shall all be judged by charity. Corrupters of families will not inherit the kingdom of God. What is reprehensible, is that while leading good lives themselves and abhorring those of wicked men, some, fearing to offend, shut their eyes to evil deeds instead of condemning them and pointing out their malice.”
Reflection for Tuesday 34th Week of Ordinary Time. Year C. November 22, 2022
Today’s Readings:
Revelation 14:14-19
Psalm 96:10-13
Luke 21:5-11
Today’s Rosary: The Sorrowful Mysteries
Today’s Saint Quote:“Arise, soldiers of Christ, throw away the works of darkness and put on the armour of light. To die for Christ is not to sacrifice one’s youth, but to renew it.” – St. Cecilia
ARE YOU READY FOR JUDGEMENT?
Today, we are presented with the reality of being Christians in that we may face hardships, persecutions, and even may lose our lives in the midst of us living our lives faithfully as Christians. Each one of us are reminded that while persecutions and sufferings may be in our path, and we may have to endure them for a while, there is no path for those who continue to refuse to believe in God and those who persecute His people, as those will end up being crushed and defeated by the triumphant Lord, Our God and our Saviour, Who will come again at the end of time, at the time of His choosing, to gather us all who are faithful to Him, and cast into the eternal darkness and destruction, all those who rejected Him to the very end.
In the First reading from the Book of Revelation, St. John’s vision is that of the Son of Man and His angels harvesting the good fruit and throwing the bad and useless growth away as a sign of God’s anger. The Psalm portrays God as the Judge Who will rule with justice and constancy. In the Gospel, Jesus forecasts not only the end of the Jerusalem Temple, but also a time of false prophecy, wars, and natural disasters, all before the end of time.
Jesus warns that there will be signs around us that can be misleading. As his faithful followers, we must learn to discern so as not to be deceived by the influences of the world and of false prophets who instill fear in us. When we have fear in our hearts do not nurse them. Instead place our faith in God who will always be there through the Holy Spirit to lead, protect and provide us with all our needs in life. As the Lord’s disciples, we are called to pray, “Come Lord Jesus, shepherd of our lives, and source of our strength and peace in our fears and anxieties”.
The Church puts before us lessons on the first two last things, death and judgment. The lesson is for us to prepare well for it, to prepare correctly, to prepare as true Christians. Does the unrest and persecution of Christians make you fear? At some point in our life, we cannot but ask the question about the end of our life on earth and creation as a whole. This is an inevitable question. As we come to the end of the liturgical year, the Church, in preparing us for the new liturgical year and new calendar year, journeys with us by inviting us to reflect on the end of life and the end of time.
We are closer than ever before, but that does not mean that it is just around the corner, although it could be. No matter when it comes, we must be prepared. Have you put all your spiritual affairs in order so that you will be ready for your own individual end, and for the world’s end whenever it comes? There are no clear answers with regard to the when and how of the end. What our faith holds is that God will dwell in us, and there will be peace, joy, love and freedom from all pain. God will establish His kingdom on earth forever.
Many of us when we think about death and judgment we can be filled with fear, anxiety, even dread. Most of us live our lives as if there is no tomorrow. We have no thought of life after death. Our concern is only about this life, how to be happy, how to enjoy and how to make the best of it. Unless we are aware of our human mortality, we do not take our lives seriously. Like the people during the time of Jesus, We also ask “when will this happen, then, and what sign will there be that this is about to take place?” Humanity is being purified and judged at every point of time in history. Judgement is an ongoing process.
The last judgement is inevitable upon our death. The truth is that at the point of death, our lives will be totally transparent before God and ourselves. Most of all, we will see the effects of our actions, especially evil deeds on our loved ones, our children, and children’s children; and society at large. We come to realize the immense pain and sufferings we have caused to others, we will be brought to shame and guilt. Our pride will hinder us from asking for forgiveness and healing. There is a link between this present life and the next. Yet it will be something also very new and transformed.
Our presence here is a place of our transformation in grace and love. We are asking that God rules in our hearts. “We must therefore work towards the establishment of God’s kingdom, “‘a kingdom eternal and universal, a kingdom of truth and life, of holiness and grace, of justice, love and peace.’ On this earth that Kingdom is already present in mystery. When the Lord returns it will be brought into full flower.” (GS 39.4) Accordingly, we need to use what the Lord has given to us for the service of others. At the end of the day, we will be asked whether we have used the resources that God has blessed us with solely for ourselves or for the greater good of others.
All of us are living with most challenging time in our history. What a hopeless situation it would be if we had no faith in God. There is hope filled life for those who believe in Christ Jesus. Each day at the Eucharist Jesus reminds us, as he did his first followers during the Last Supper, “Remain in me, as I remain in you. … I am the vine, you are the branches… It’s our union with him here that gives us the faith and constancy we need to spend ourselves fully, not to be afraid, but to follow him in a life of bearing fruit.
Sisters and Brothers, let us all therefore renew our own commitment to live our lives truly worthily as Christians, in dedicating our works, efforts, our every words, actions and deeds to bring glory to God. Let us all therefore continue to work hard in doing the will of God, and being vigilant that whenever is the Lord’s second coming, we will always be ready to welcome Him into this world, and receive from Him the crown of eternal glory, and to enjoy forever the inheritance and true joy that He has always intended for us, His beloved children and people, the jewels and pinnacle of His creation.
Today, let each one of us, ask the Father through Christ the Vine to give us the grace to remain faithful and fruitful in life and faithful and fruitful in death so that we might have the joy of sharing her eternal price in that place with the angels will lift their sickles in triumph.
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PRAY FOR THE CANONIZATION OF BLESSED MICHAEL TANSI, MICHAEL J. MCGIVNEY & NNADI MICHAEL
PRAY THE ROSARY & LITANY- THIS IS THE MOST POWERFUL SPIRITUAL WEAPON AGAINST EVIL FORCES.
PRAYER:
-Lord Jesus, your grace and mercy abounds even in the midst of trials and difficulties. Help me to seek your kingdom first and to reject whatever would hinder me from pursuing your way of peace, righteousness, and holiness. Fill me with the joy and hope of your everlasting kingdom.
Take a decision today for Total Consecration of yourself to Blessed Virgin Mary, grow your Spirituality?
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