Scripture readings for this reflection can be found at Memorial of Saint Elizabeth of Hungary, Religious | USCCB
The readings of these
days speak of the 'end times' as we bring the liturgical year to a close. We
can use them as an opportunity to recognize who we are and where we are going:
We all are created by God and are being drawn to live fully with God.
In our gospel for today, the Lord is talking about
what it will be like upon his return at the end of time and was comparing it
with other events that happened in the Old Testament. Jesus mentions about how
people during the time of Noah were more concerned about their sinful activity
than turning towards God. They were living lives that were sinful and selfish.
They had no interest in obeying the commandments of God. Our Lord also mentions
the time of Sodom, where the people were more interested in their sinful
activity than obeying the commandments of God. As in the days of Noah with the
flood and with the fire and brimstone in the time of Sodom, people suffered
punishment for living lives contrary to the commandments of God.
Our Lord goes on to say in today’s gospel, “Whoever
seeks to preserve his life will lose it, but whoever loses it will save it.”
What our Lord is trying to teach us in this is that, while we are to live
responsible lives by taking care of our families and paying our bills, we are
to have God in the center of all we do. As we go through our days doing the
things, we need to do in order to survive and be happy, we will find true
happiness in placing our lives into the loving hands of God. God will always be
there to help us and guide us in times of trouble and good time. In all we do
we need to do it with the love of God as the center who we are and the love of
those who God has placed into our lives.
The
‘end gospels' call on us to trust. Losing and saving our lives is in the hands
of God as is all else. Trust is the big call of every relevant relationship.
Prayer is a gateway to growth in trust in God.
From Arlene B. Muller
ReplyDeleteAlthough I am afraid of losing my life I am 100% in favor of placing GOD in the center of my life! I do not compartmentalize my faith but I try to keep CHRIST in the center of everything I do & seek to let my love for GOD & the Church & the Ten Commandments, GOD'S Word & the laws & teaching of the Catholic Church guide me in every aspect of my life.
For a long time now people have been asking if we are living in the end times because of the wars & natural disasters (natural & otherwise) & because of all the evil in the world that seems to be on the increase!
Technically we have been living on the end times that began with the Church age, with the ascension of Our LORD into heaven & the descent of the Holy Spirit on PENTECOST, & Our LORD taught us that we will not know the day or the hour (which also includes the month & the year) of His Second Coming that will end the world as we know it. Also, all forms of media now inform us of news throughout the world that give us a lot more information about all sorts of disasters (natural & otherwise), tragedies, wars, rumors of wars, & the evil, hateful & even demonic & insane acts & atrocities being committed by people not only in our country & throughout the world practically at the moment they happen, whereas for centuries it took some time to find out about these things & our information & access to information were a lot more limited, so maybe our ignorance provided more "bliss" & peace!
But somehow it seems/feels like it is not merely that we hear about these things more but that they probably are actually on the increase. Although there are still many good people doing good throughout the world ( even though they get little publicity), I have been hearing more about people who were even raised Catholic that do not practice our faith, have little interest In or time for GOD & place the love of money st the center of their lives! Even people coming from Catholic/Christian backgrounds have become greedy, cold, heartless & even evil! Even drivers of cars, motorcycles, bicycles & scooters disregard traffic laws, speed & cut in & out of lanes! So it does seem like the "darkness" of the world is increasing & we need to work even harder to shine the LIGHT OF CHRIST within us even more strongly in the midst of all this darkness!
At any rate the Day of the LORD is drawing closer even though we still don't know when He is coming
back!
Trusting GOD is not easy, but it is essential to keep us going & keep us sane. Whatever else is going on, GOD still loves us & GOD is faithful & somehow, no matter what else is going on & whatever we may have to suffer, if we trust GOD., if we keep Him & His ways at the center & "first & foremost", if we obey Him, pray & stay close to Him, ultimately we will be OK.