Daily Preparedness over unhealthy curiosity

As we approach the end of the Church’s liturgical year, we are reminded of the need to be prepared, to be ready for the things ‘to come’ in ways devoid of anxiety, tension and fear. The prophet Daniel says that, ‘there is going to be a time of great distress, unparalleled since nations first came into existence…When that time comes, your own people will be spared, all those whose names are found written in the Book. Of those who lie sleeping in the dust of the earth many will awake, some to everlasting life, some to shame and everlasting disgrace…’ (cf. Dn 12:1-3). Our Blessed Lord in the gospel tells his disciples as he tells us that, ‘in those days, after the time of distress, the sun will be darkened, the moon will lose its brightness, the stars will come falling from heaven and the powers in the heavens will be shaken…then too he will send the angels to gather his chosen from the four winds, from the ends of the world to the ends of heaven’ (cf. Mk 13:24-32). 

Beloved People of God, an honest effort on daily preparedness is better than any unhealthy curiosity into a matter that our Blessed Lord himself declared a prerogative of God the Father – namely – the day or hour. Such disposition can only generate persistent terror. It can neither facilitate a peaceful living nor ensure an eternal joy. 

We pray for the grace of a life consistently lived in readiness to encounter the King of kings, the Lord of lords, Jesus Christ, the eternal priest, who ‘has offered one single sacrifice for sins, and then taken his place for ever, at the right hand of God, where he is now waiting until his enemies are made into a footstool for him…’ (cf. Hb 10:11-14.18). May our names be found in the Book since by sanctifying us, Jesus has achieved our eternal perfection by virtue of that one single offering.

Fr. Ted

All to Jesus – Through Mary our Mother

33^rd Sunday in Ordinary Time (B)

17^th November 2024