ALMIGHTY ALLY

“Before all this happens, however, they will seize and persecute you…” – Luke 21:12

       You could say that it was my superiors who drew my career path. They believed in me, and appreciated and acknowledged my efforts. I went up the ranks without really aiming for it. I was never threatened when there were new incoming officers. Competition was never in my mind. I just enjoyed my job and worked my heart out.

       But even if I only desired what was good for everyone, there were still some coworkers who didn’t like me and eventually persecuted me. They interpreted my intentions negatively, they questioned my capabilities, and they looked down on my accomplishments. Yes, I got hurt, but, with God’s grace, I remained loving and kind to them. As our Lord promised, though everyone may hate us, with Him we shall not perish. We just have to stand firm and we will win in life, because we have an Almighty Ally who shall always stand for us! Sol Saura (sol_saura@yahoo.com)

Reflection: Are there people who are persecuting you? Don’t worry for God is with you.

Lord, thank You for we know that You are always with us. You will never leave us or abandon us.

The Day of Judgment looms large for us all. None of us can avoid it. The best thing we can do is to prepare well by living the Gospel to the best of our ability. God seeks perfection but focuses far more on the desire with which we seek it than our success in achieving that goal.

19 Lo, the day is coming, blazing like an oven, when all the proud and all evildoers will be stubble, and the day that is coming will set them on fire, leaving them neither root nor branch, says the Lord of hosts. 20 But for you who fear my name, there will arise the sun of justice with its healing rays.

5 Sing praise to the Lord with the harp, with the harp and melodious song. 6 With trumpets and the sound of the horn sing joyfully before the King, the Lord. (R) 7 Let the sea and what fills it resound, the world and those who dwell in it; 8 let the rivers clap their hands, the mountains shout with them for joy. (R) 9 Before the Lord, for he comes, for he comes to rule the earth; he will rule the world with justice and the peoples with equity. (R)

Paul does not tolerate freeloaders. He would have a fit if he discovered any ”handout mentality” developing in any of the communities he founded. We should follow his lead and seek to promote the full dignity of the human person by helping them find the means to help themselves. One of the first responsibilities of the government is to provide work for its citizens. This is one of the most important focuses of the legislative agenda of the government.

7 Brothers and sisters: You know how one must imitate us. For we did not act in a disorderly way among you, 8 nor did we eat food received free from anyone. On the contrary, in toil and drudgery, night and day we worked, so as not to burden any of you. 9 Not that we do not have the right. Rather, we wanted to present ourselves as a model for you, so that you might imitate us. 10 In fact, when we were with you, we instructed you that if anyone was unwilling to work, neither should that one eat. 11 We hear that some are conducting themselves among you in a disorderly way, by not keeping busy but minding the business of others. 12 Such people we instruct and urge in the Lord Jesus Christ to work quietly and to eat their own food.

The amount the Church spends on buildings can very easily become a scandal. It is essential that the Church focuses on the people and not the material things under its care. Yes, stewardship demands we take care of all that is entrusted to us but the right balance must be found, lest we lose our focus on the things that truly matter — and it is people who should be our first concern.

Stand erect and raise your heads because your redemption is at hand.

5 While some people were speaking about how the temple was adorned with costly stones and votive offerings, Jesus said, 6 “All that you see here — the days will come when there will not be left a stone upon another stone that will not be thrown down.” 7 Then they asked him, “Teacher, when will this happen? And what sign will there be when all these things are about to happen?” 8 He answered, “See that you not be deceived, for many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am he,’ and ‘The time has come.’ Do not follow them! 9 When you hear of wars and insurrections, do not be terrified; for such things must happen first, but it will not immediately be the end.” 10 Then he said to them, “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. 11 There will be powerful earthquakes, famines, and plagues from place to place; and awesome sights and mighty signs will come from the sky. 12 Before all this happens, however, they will seize and persecute you, they will hand you over to the synagogues and to prisons, and they will have you led before kings and governors because of my name. 13 It will lead to your giving testimony. 14 Remember, you are not to prepare your defense beforehand, 15 for I myself shall give you a wisdom in speaking that all your adversaries will be powerless to resist or refute. 16 You will even be handed over by parents, brothers, relatives, and friends, and they will put some of you to death. 17 You will be hated by all because of my name, 18 but not a hair on your head will be destroyed. 19 By your perseverance you will secure your lives.”

think:  It is essential that the Church focuses on the people and not the material things under its care.

READ THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR Psalm 71-75

THE END OF THE WORLD AS GOOD NEWS?

I often wonder how people would react if the priest, after reading today’s Gospel in Holy Mass, would declare, “This is the Gospel of the Lord.” (Or, “This is the Good News of our salvation.”) Of course, the standard answer is, “Praise to You, Lord Jesus Christ.” But taking a second look at today’s Gospel passage, we wonder, “How on earth can this be Good News — with all those predictions of cosmic catastrophes, disasters and persecutions?”

       Come to think of it, those scary scenarios are not meant at all to terrorize or frighten us. In fact, they are meant to console and strengthen us, as they did for the early Christians, the first readers of the Gospel. Note well, in fact, the concluding verses: “Not a hair on your head will be destroyed. By your perseverance you will secure your lives.”

       Apart from the exegetical and hermeneutical considerations of the Gospel episode, we can simply compare the end of the world to the situation of a school newcomer on his first day of classes. There is excitement and anticipation, but also nervousness and jitters. When at last the first day is over and it’s time to go home, we might ask, “Is that all?” Meaning, with the first day of classes over, is education over as well? If so, then we can just call off the rest of the school year, is that it?

       Certainly not. The first day of classes is just that: the first day, the beginning. Education, being the lifetime task that it is, is surely far from over just with the conclusion of the first day of classes.

       This analogy might help us understand the overall scenario of the world and its end, as well as the far greater reality of eternity and God. Life in this present world is just like the first day of classes. Yes, we are all excited and eager, but sooner or later it will all have to come to an end. The nervousness and fear are there too, understandably, but we all know that it doesn’t end there at all. Should destruction and fear threaten us, the reality of the eternal God is still there. It is still good news, after all. Fr. Martin Macasaet, SDB

REFLECTION QUESTION: When people talk about the end of the world, or when you hear about natural calamities here and there, what are your thoughts and feelings?

Lord Jesus, may I learn to trust that, at the end of the world, You will be there.