34TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME
Blessed Virgin Mary
Psalter: Week 2 / (Green/White)
Ps 95:1-2, 3-5, 6-7ab
Maranatha! Come, Lord Jesus!
1st Reading: Rev 22:1-7
Then, he showed me the river of life, clear as crystal, gushing from the throne of God, and of the Lamb. In the middle of the city, on both sides of the river, are the trees of life, producing fruit twelve times, once each month, the leaves of which are for healing the nations.
No longer will there be a curse; the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city, and God‘s servants will live in his presence. They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. There will be no more night. They will not need the light of lamp, or sun, for God himself will be their light, and they will reign forever.
Then, the angel said to me, ”These words are sure and true; the Lord God, who inspires the prophets, has sent his angel to show his servants what must happen soon.”
”I am coming soon! Happy are those who keep the prophetic words of this book.”
Gospel: Lk 21:34-36
Be on your guard: don‘t immerse yourselves in a life of pleasure, drunkenness and worldly cares, lest that day catch you unaware, like a trap! For, like a snare, will that day come upon all the inhabitants of the earth. But watch at all times and pray, that you may be able to escape all that is going to happen, and to stand before the Son of Man.
Reflections
Anticipation and anxiety go hand in hand. These are two reactions to a life under pressure. The latter sees only fear and darkness. While the other sees light and hope. We can never fully predict hardships or disastrous events along the way. Life offers all kinds of test and struggle. What is needed is to ask ourselves what are our core values and what really matters in our lives. We can live a high moral life, as if tomorrow does matter. Or we can choose to live as if tomorrow does not matter. And we can pray for the strength to live through the darker days or we take things for granted. Ultimately we can live as if Jesus is fully present and it matters to hold on his words. We can begin to take our responsibilities seriously and stop blaming anyone with what is happening with our lives. Choose one area in your life that makes you fearful and anxious. How can faith turn your fear in this area into an act of trust in God‘s care? What we are called to do is simply to trust that everything will be fine and that we can see blessings in our families and communities. The blessings could be so ordinary like good health or caring friends. All that is called for is to have time for silence within and be filled with gratitude. Richard Rohr says: ”To become aware of God‘s presence in our lives, we have to accept what is often difficult, particularly for people in what appears to be a success-driven culture…Wisdom teachers from many traditions have recognized that we human beings do not naturally see; we have to be taught how to see.”
Daily Reflection 2018
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Biblical Texts are taken from Christian Community Bible, Catholic Pastoral Edition (57th Edition) The New English Translation for the ROMAN MISSAL
With permission from the EPISCOPAL COMMISION ON LITURGY of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines
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