Meditation for the Day

Friday of the Thirty-second Week in Ordinary Time, November 12

May We Always Keep Our Eyes Focused on the Relationship Which You and I Have Forged with Jesus Christ, Who Is Not Only God the Son, but Who Is Also Our Dearest and Closest and Most Intimate Friend and Brother.

“All men were by nature foolish who were in ignorance of God…For they search busily among his works, but are distracted by what they see, because the things seen are fair” – words from our First Reading today which reflect how man is easily swayed from the wonders of God to the curiosities of the world.

And from the perspective of the culture in which we live today, we can discern these words as pointing to the failure of man to recognize and truly appreciate the miracle of created beauty all around us, due to the seductions and bewitchment of atheistic thinking and secular materialism.

When I first reflected upon these words from the Book of Wisdom, I began to wonder how many people truly miss the wondrous beauty of God’s handiwork during the autumn season – the changing colors of the leaves, the clear skies at night out in the countryside, the feel and the smell of crisp air as we begin the change of seasons from fall into winter, the smell of wood-burning fireplaces, even the smell of freshly baked pumpkin pies and sweet apple cider!

Sometimes, we can become so caught up in our day to day activities that we fail to notice the beauty of God’s creation which constantly surrounds us. And as our psalmist tells us today, “The heavens declare the glory of God, and the firmament proclaims his handiwork.”

This is also the time in the liturgical year of the Church when we begin to come to the end of Ordinary Time. And as we begin to prepare ourselves for the coming of Advent in a little more than two weeks, when we reflect upon the fulfillment of the Old Testament prophecies relating to the First Coming of the promised Messiah, we begin to turn our attention today to another set of prophecies which speak of His Second Coming, an event which is yet to take place, an event in which all things will be made new!

Our Lord speaks to us today about this awesome event in today’s Gospel, an event which no one shall escape. When we look at all the wonders of God’s creation, what can our faith teach us about the return of our Savior on this day of Final Judgment at the end of the world?

In speaking about one being taken and one being left behind, even His disciples asked “Where, Lord?” Our Lord’s answer was, “Where the body is, there also the vultures will gather.” And some translations use the word “eagles” from the Greek word “aetoi” rather than “vultures.”

Our Lord’s response was an idiomatic or colloquial expression used amongst the Jewish people of our Lord’s day, which basically meant that the event would occur wherever there were people living and working. In other words, it would be a world-wide event!

One can see the Parousia, the Second Coming, as a time of fulfillment, a time during which the just shall be separated from the unjust, where the holy shall be separated from the unholy, where those who love selflessly shall be separated from those incapable of loving in such a way.

With all the wonders of God’s creation at our fingertips, with all the marvels which we have been blessed to enjoy and to which we are witness in today’s world – do you and I get all caught up in the many earthly pleasures that surround us, or are we able to maintain our focus on the Person of Jesus Christ?

When the difficulties of life cause us to take a deep breath and force us to take a step backwards at times, when the crosses which you and I sometimes bear seem too heavy in this valley of tears through which each of us must travel – do we turn our backs on God because of our complaints, or do we reach out to Him for help in our times of sorrow and despair?

In the life of faith which you and I profess, are we able to answer the question of what our relationship with Jesus Christ is truly like? Is our heart open to whatever He may ask of you or me, or do we place limits on who we say we are – a Christian people – and on what we profess to believe?

Do we love virtuously and selflessly as God has asked us to love, or are our lives consumed with all that runs counter to love? No matter what our Church affiliation or denomination may be, no matter whether one considers him or herself Catholic or Protestant, being Christian is more than just a vocation or a way of life. Christianity is not a philosophy; it is not an ideology.

Rather, it is the meeting which takes place between two persons – ourself and Jesus Christ, and the intimate relationship which is forged in such an encounter – a lasting relationship which gives us hope in times of sorrow, a relationship which gives us the strength to bear whatever crosses we may be asked to endure on this side of eternity.

As to when the Incarnate Son of God will come again in all His Glory? No one knows except the Eternal Father. But whenever that last day shall be, whether it be in our lifetime or not, let us always keep our eyes focused on the relationship which you and I have forged and established with Jesus Christ, who is not only God the Son, but who is also our dearest and closest and most intimate Friend and Brother – and who teaches us the true value and meaning of the word “love”.

For it is in our love and through His Love that we shall truly realize the fulfillment of all of God’s promises! †

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Please Comment, Like and Share, and Suggest to your Facebook friends – to spread the message of God’s Merciful Love.

Por favor Comente, Le Gusta y Comparta, y Sugiera a tus amigos en Facebook – en difundir el mensaje del Misericordioso Amor de Dios.

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Scripture for the Day

• “Foolish by nature were all who were in ignorance of God…For they search busily among his works, but are distracted by what they see, because the things seen are fair.” (Wisdom 13:1a, 7)
• “The heavens declare the glory of God; the firmament proclaims the works of his hands.” (Psalm 19:2)
• “Whoever seeks to preserve his life will lose it, but whoever loses it will save it. I tell you, on that night there will be two people in one bed; one will be taken, the other left. And there will be two women grinding meal together; one will be taken, the other left.” (Luke 17:33-35)
• “[His disciples] said to him in reply, ‘Where, Lord?’ He said to them, ‘Where the body is, there also the vultures will gather.’” (Luke 17:37)
• “What profit is there for one to gain the whole world and forfeit his life? What could one give in exchange for his life? Whoever is ashamed of me and of my words in this faithless and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of when he comes in his Father’s glory with the holy angels.” (Mark 8:36-38)
• “But of that day and hour no one knows, neither the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone.” (Matthew 24:36)
• “The way of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD, but he loves one who pursues virtue.” (Proverbs 15:9)
• “Beloved, let us love one another, because love is of God; everyone who loves is begotten by God and knows God. Whoever is without love does not know God, for God is love.” (1 John 4:7-8)
• “Now have salvation and power come, and the kingdom of our God and the authority of his Anointed.” (Revelation 12:10b)

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Prayer for the Day

“Precious Blood and Eternal Word of God,
You are my eternal salvation.
Lost in sin, You liberated me;
You lifted me from the bottomless pit of perdition.

“Treasuring my feeble soul,
You excused my constant frailties.
Forever, I am indebted to Your Mercy.
Your cost can never be repaid,
For You bought my freedom with Your Blood.

“Most Holy and Incarnate Wisdom,
I will always seek You out, my Lord;
You are my beloved Deliverer!
You are the Lamb of God!
You, Jesus, are my most intimate Friend and Brother!
In You alone, Lord, do I find my eternal salvation.”

Anonymous