PREPARING BUT NOT PANICKING!

The Prophet Malachy tells us, ‘Behold, the day is coming, burning like an oven, when all the arrogant and all evildoers will be stubble. The day that is coming shall set them ablaze, says the Lord of hosts, so that it will leave them neither root nor branch’ (cf Mal 4:1-2a). The Gospel paints a scary picture of the said day of the Lord. ‘Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be great earthquakes. And there will be terrors and great signs from heaven. But before all this, they will lay their hands on you and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors for my name’s sake…’ (cf Lk 21:5-19).

Beloved people of God, he who is coming is the King of kings and the Lord of lords. We are invited to get ready for the day of his coming. We are expected to be preparing but not to get panicky. After all, the Prophet adds thus, ‘But for you who fear my name, the sun of righteousness shall rise with healing in its wings’ (cf Mal. 2:1-2a). The Book of Psalms goes further to reassure that, ‘The Lord will judge the world with justice and the peoples with fairness’.  The same passage of the gospel according to St Luke says to us, ‘…You will be hated by all for my name’s sake. But not a hair of your head will perish. By your endurance you will gain your lives’ (Lk 21:5-19).

As the Liturgical year of the Church comes to an end, we are reminded of the finite nature of everything that lives and breathes. While we have the possibility, we order our life in such a way that it gives glory and praise to the King, the Lord. We must go on working quietly and not sit in idleness 

as we wait for the return of our Lord and King.

    Fr. Ted