I was jolted and fear crept into my heart. My chest ultrasound showed a mass on the surgical bed of a previous operation that removed a cancerous growth. A lot of thoughts started to run in my head. If this new mass turns out to be cancerous again, will I need chemotherapy and radiation again? Even if I tried to calm myself, I couldn’t help but worry for my husband and our youngest, who’s the only one with us now.

My oncologist said she wasn’t worried but suggested I have another ultrasound after a month. The agony of waiting began. 

When a niece heard about my plight, she sent me this verse: “What do you imagine against the Lord? He will make an utter end: affliction shall not rise up the second time”(Nahum 1:9). That gave me a lot of hope and peace in my heart. 

True enough, God was with me the whole time. The biopsy showed the new mass was benign. Reng Morelos (norinamorelos@gmail.com)

Reflect

During times of testing, do you hold on to God or let go of His grip on you?

Jesus, I will face fearful things in my life, but knowing You’re with me drives the anxiety away. 

Saint Hilda, religious, pray for us.

First Reading | Daniel 12:1-3

As followers of Christ, we become teachers to others. Our witness must be beacons in the darkness, guiding weary travelers on their way home. This is our responsibility for having received the gift of salvation and as disciples. The way we live is an expression of our commitment to the Gospel and to the truth of God’s promise of salvation. Let us pray to be faithful in living it out.

¹ In those days, I, Daniel, heard this word of the Lord: “At that time there shall arise Michael, the great prince, guardian of your people; it shall be a time unsurpassed in distress since nations began until that time. At that time your people shall escape, everyone who is found written in the book. ² Many of those who sleep ian the dust of the earth shall awake; some shall live forever, otheras shall be an everlasting horror and disgrace. ³ But the wise shall shine brightly like the splendor of the firmament, and those who lead the many to justice shall be like the stars forever.

Responsorial Psalm | Psalm 16:5, 8, 9-10, 11

R: You are my inheritance, O Lord!

⁵ O Lord, my allotted portion and my cup, you it is who hold fast my lot. ⁸ I set the Lord ever before me; with him at my right hand I shall not be disturbed. (R) ⁹ Therefore my heart is glad and my soul rejoices, my body, too, abides in confidence; ¹⁰ because you will not abandon my soul to the netherworld, nor will you suffer your faithful one to undergo corruption. (R) ¹¹ You will show me the path to life, fullness of joys in your presence, the delights at your right hand forever. (R)

Second Reading | Hebrews 10:11-14, 18

The author of the letter to the Hebrews understands that the sacrifices in the Old Testament, while performed in good faith, have no effect in removing sin from people's lives. Only the perfect sacrifice of Jesus can do this. Thus, it is this sacrifice that we celebrate in the Eucharist and other sacraments as the source of our salvation. Nothing can ever substitute for it. Only through the sacrifice of Jesus on Calvary can any person be saved.

¹¹ Brothers and sisters: Every priest stands daily at his ministry, offering frequently those same sacrifices that can never take away sins. ¹² But this one offered one sacrifice for sins, and took his seat forever at the right hand of God; ¹³ now he waits until his enemies are made his footstool. ¹⁴ For by one offering he has made perfect forever those who are being consecrated. 18 Where there is forgiveness of these, there is no longer offering for sin. 

Gospel | Mark 13:24-32

We must cling to the words of Jesus as they contain the truth and direction that we must follow towards eternal life. We cannot be distracted and be drawn away from this truth. The world tries to seduce us with its lies and counter arguments; however, let us fix our hearts and minds on the Word of God and see to it that the world does not gain a hold over our lives.

Gospel Acclamation

Be vigilant at all times and pray that you have the strength to stand before the Son of Man.

²⁴ Jesus said to his disciples: “In those days after that tribulation the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, ²⁵ and the stars will be falling from the sky, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken. ²⁶ “And then they will see ‘the Son of Man coming in the clouds’ with great power and glory, ²⁷ and then he will send out the angels and gather his elect from the four winds, from the end of the earth to the end of the sky. ²⁸ “Learn a lesson from the fig tree. When its branch becomes tender and sprouts leaves, you know that summer is near. ²⁹ In the same way, when you see these things happening, know that he is near, at the gates. ³⁰ Amen, I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things have taken place. ³¹ Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away. ³² “But of that day or hour, no one knows,neither the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father."

Reflect:

What lesson does Jesus want to teach us about the fig tree?

Read the Bible in one year! Read ACTS 13 - 16 today. 

The End Times Is Any Time

In today’s Gospel, Jesus gives some signs when the end will come. These are apocalyptic musings, which are taken from the Book of Prophet Daniel, and are the fulfillment of Nathan’s prophecy that a son of David will reign forever. The “apocalypse” means the revelation of what are to come. The coming of the Son of Manrefers to the end times when the world will end and we will face judgment before God. His coming, however, is not limited to that promised Second Coming. Every day, especially in the Holy Eucharist, Jesus is present in the life of the Church. We encounter the Lord Jesus in every place and moment of our life.

Of special concern, too, is when the end times will happen. Jesus said that even He does not know when it will be. The point is that our concern should be whether we are ready and worthy when the day comes. For even if we know the exact time, we will still be judged accordingly. Besides, knowing the day and time may be counterproductive as we have the tendency to procrastinate and cram.

Being worthy and prepared for the end times is not about how many prayers, charities, and sacrifices we have done. It is about living the Christian way of life. That cannot be attained overnight or in a flash. It is a gradual process coupled with the right attitude and ample faith. 

Once I asked my theology professor who was sitting on his armchair reading the newspaper, “Father, if the world will end in an hour, what will you do?” He looked at me and said, “I will still be here sitting and reading the newspaper!” Then he turned his head to the paper and continued reading. What he was really saying were: “What can you do in an hour?” and “What I should do, I have done all my life.” He was well-prepared for what is to come—death or the end times. He was living as if tomorrow will never come. 

Jesus is saying that being good is not only at a certain time. Christianity is 24/7, a full-time activity. We must not be concerned about the day and hour. If we are prepared, the end times can come any time and we will be happy to welcome it. That is how a Christian should understand the end times. For the end times is actually the entry to eternal time with God. Fr. Benny Tuazon

Reflection Question:

How ready are you for your death and Judgment Day?

Grant me the grace to be always prepared for my end or for Your coming, Lord. Amen. 

Today, I pray for: _______________________________