"By patient endurance you will save your lives" Lk 21:19 ~ by Ronnie Archer

Today's readings remind us that only GOD knows when the end of the world will take place.

Malachi 3, tells us that the day is coming when the "proud and evildoers will be stubble....But for those who fear HIS name, there will arise the sun of justice, with its healing rays."

In St. Paul's FIRST letter to the Thessalonians, he warned of the "day of the Lord's coming" - which the people took "too seriously"... ceasing to work, feeling that money was useless, depending on others for their sustenance, in view of the imminence of the parousia (end). A situation of idleness and disorder developed among them, so in today's SECOND letter, St. Paul emphasized the fact that even though the end WILL come, it was not imminent, and telling them that if anyone was unwilling to work, neither should he eat.

For many years, people have speculated about the end of the world. Jesus tells us in today's Gospel of Luke 21, that "many will come in MY name," saying "I am HE and the time has drawn near, but do not follow them." We are not to be terrified when these fearful events come to pass. We should not "argue" with anyone on that subject. What we SHOULD do is live our lives the way we know pleases Jesus, by loving and serving those around us, so that when HE does come, HE will see us doing just what HE wants us to do.



~ Thirty-Third Sunday in Ordinary Time ~