Thursday of the Thirty-fourth Week in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 506
Reading 1
Revelation 18:1-2, 21-23; 19:1-3, 9A
I, John, saw another angel coming down from heaven,
having great authority,
and the earth became illumined by his splendor.
He cried out in a mighty voice:
“Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great.
She has become a haunt for demons.
She is a cage for every unclean spirit,
a cage for every unclean bird,
a cage for every unclean and disgusting beast.”
A mighty angel picked up a stone like a huge millstone
and threw it into the sea and said:
“With such force will Babylon the great city be thrown down,
and will never be found again.
No melodies of harpists and musicians,
flutists and trumpeters,
will ever be heard in you again.
No craftsmen in any trade
will ever be found in you again.
No sound of the millstone
will ever be heard in you again.
No light from a lamp
will ever be seen in you again.
No voices of bride and groom
will ever be heard in you again.
Because your merchants were the great ones of the world,
all nations were led astray by your magic potion.”
After this I heard what sounded like
the loud voice of a great multitude in heaven, saying:
“Alleluia!
Salvation, glory, and might belong to our God,
for true and just are his judgments.
He has condemned the great harlot
who corrupted the earth with her harlotry.
He has avenged on her the blood of his servants.”
They said a second time:
“Alleluia! Smoke will rise from her forever and ever.”
Then the angel said to me,
“Write this:
Blessed are those who have been called
to the wedding feast of the Lamb.”
Responsorial Psalm
Psalm 100:1B-2, 3, 4, 5
R. (Rev. 19: 9a) Blessed are they who are called to the wedding feast of the Lamb.
Sing joyfully to the LORD, all you lands;
serve the LORD with gladness;
come before him with joyful song.
R. Blessed are they who are called to the wedding feast of the Lamb.
Know that the LORD is God;
he made us, his we are;
his people, the flock he tends.
R. Blessed are they who are called to the wedding feast of the Lamb.
Enter his gates with thanksgiving,
his courts with praise;
Give thanks to him; bless his name.
R. Blessed are they who are called to the wedding feast of the Lamb.
For he is good:
the LORD, whose kindness endures forever,
and his faithfulness, to all generations.
R. Blessed are they who are called to the wedding feast of the Lamb.
Alleluia
Luke 21:28
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Stand erect and raise your heads
because your redemption is at hand.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel
Luke 21:20-28
Jesus said to his disciples:
“When you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies,
know that its desolation is at hand.
Then those in Judea must flee to the mountains.
Let those within the city escape from it,
and let those in the countryside not enter the city,
for these days are the time of punishment
when all the Scriptures are fulfilled.
Woe to pregnant women and nursing mothers in those days,
for a terrible calamity will come upon the earth
and a wrathful judgment upon this people.
They will fall by the edge of the sword
and be taken as captives to all the Gentiles;
and Jerusalem will be trampled underfoot by the Gentiles
until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.
"There will be signs in the sun, the moon, and the stars,
and on earth nations will be in dismay,
perplexed by the roaring of the sea and the waves.
People will die of fright
in anticipation of what is coming upon the world,
for the powers of the heavens will be shaken.
And then they will see the Son of Man
coming in a cloud with power and great glory.
But when these signs begin to happen,
stand erect and raise your heads
because your redemption is at hand.”
Reflection 1
Catholic Daily Reflections
“And then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. But when these signs begin to happen, stand erect and raise your heads because your redemption is at hand.” Luke 21:28
This passage above concludes a series of teachings by Jesus on the suffering and persecution that will come in this world. But His teachings conclude with this line above, which offers great hope in anticipation of Jesus’ return in glory. This passage speaks of the prophetic vision of Daniel (Daniel 7:13–14) that terrified Daniel when he saw it. He witnessed the great persecution to come, as well as the destruction of all evil that will accompany the return of the Son of Man.
When you think about both the final coming of Christ as well as your own future death, what comes to mind? If you were informed by an angel that tomorrow would be that day, the day that the Son of Man would return in all His splendor and glory to bring about an end to this world and to issue forth His judgment upon it, how would you react? Would you be terrified? Overjoyed? Hopeful? Confused? Perhaps a little of each of these reactions would be present. Of this time, Jesus said that “nations would be in dismay” and that “People will die of fright in anticipation of what is coming into the world.” So what is your reaction to this promised day of our Lord?
Those who “die of fright” are clearly those who will experience this day completely unprepared. Meeting the Son of Man, the Son of God, the Savior of the World and the Eternal Judge when you are completely unprepared should be frightful. Imagine, for example, that you were hosting a large dinner party and you got your days mixed up. The day arrived and you weren’t expecting anyone until the following week, but the guests started to arrive in great numbers. Imagine your anxiety and embarrassment. Such an experience would be nothing compared to being unprepared for the judgment of Christ when we stand before Him at the time of our death and then at the Final Judgment at the end of the world.
The good news is that on that day, for those who are truly prepared through a life of faith and selfless service of God’s will, they are told to “stand erect and raise your heads because your redemption is at hand.” If you do all you can to prepare for that day, then it will be a day in which you anticipate with the utmost hope and excitement. You will indeed be able to stand erect, turn your eyes to the coming Judge of All, and receive the eternal reward that He so deeply desires to bestow. But this will be your experience only if you are truly ready for that day through a life lived in complete imitation of Christ.
Reflect, today, upon that final day. Imagine every person ever created standing before the Judgment Seat of Christ. Every sin and every virtue will be made manifest on that day. The minds and hearts of all will be seen in the light as they are revealed to all by God. And those who have lived lives of fidelity will rejoice as they see God’s justice and His mercy unite as His judgments are issued forth. If this day is one that frightens you, consider the reasons why. If you do not look forward to this definitive moment in time, then perhaps you need to ponder more deeply those things you need to do so as to be fully prepared. Prepare yourself today. Do not wait. Our Lord could return at any time. Do not be caught off guard.
Reflection 2
One Bread, One Body
THANKS IN THE END
“When you see Jerusalem encircled by soldiers, know that its devastation is near.” —Luke 21:20
Jesus said that Jerusalem would be destroyed. Since Jerusalem was a city specially chosen in God’s plan of salvation, Jesus’ prediction seemed impossible. Less than forty years later, in 70 A.D., Jesus’ prophecy was fulfilled.
St. John, in the book of Revelation, prophesied that the Roman empire, symbolized by Babylon, would fall (Rv 18:2). This most stable of empires fell.
Jesus said that this world will be destroyed and will pass away (see Lk 21:26, 33; 2 Pt 3:7). He was right about Jerusalem’s destruction, and He is right about the world’s end.
Not only are cities, empires, and planet earth in the process of falling apart, we all are falling apart (see 2 Cor 4:16). Our reaction to this fact should not be denial or despair but thanksgiving. Like a grain of wheat, we must fall to the earth and die in order to bear fruit (Jn 12:24). We must die in Christ to rise with Him (2 Tm 2:11).
Thank God that the world is passing away and we are falling apart. Thank God there is so much more than this life. Thank God for endings which open the door to new beginnings (see Lk 20:38). Thank God not only for what’s going well but for what’s going down. Thank God.
Prayer: Father, make me more thankful each day as I get closer to death and home.
Promise: “Sing joyfully to the Lord, all you lands; serve the Lord with gladness; come before Him with joyful song.” —Ps 100:1-2
Praise: Sarah prayed for years for her drug-addicted husband to become a believer in Jesus. Finally, she gave up on him. On the same day she silently made plans to leave him, he gave his life to Jesus, was freed from his addiction, and told her that he loved her. They now evangelize together.
Reflection 3
Shared from Daily Liturgy
What does the sad and horrible fate of Jerusalem teach us? It teaches that the retribution for our sins is our falling prey to the powers of darkness, described in today’s gospel as ‘Jerusalem will fall by the edge of the sword and be led captive among all nations, and Jerusalem will be trampled underfoot by the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled’. All that we think is ours, i.e., all our false securities will be snatched away, reducing us to a state of desolation. Call to mind the parable of the rich man and Lazarus. On the day of judgement, Lazarus was able to hold his head high. Not so the rich man, for he had sold his soul to his false securities. We shouldn’t be intimidated by today’s gospel passage, if we submit ourselves to Jesus in our daily life, by keeping his commandments and loving our neighbour as ourselves! The Son of Man will come in the clouds with power and great glory. In today’s First Reading, the great battle is over and there is the victory song of Hallelujah in Heaven. The fact that the heavenly forces have won the battle gives us great hope and courage. Let us continue to trust in the Lamb, slain for our salvation.
Prayers
My eternal Judge, You promise to return to earth at a definitive moment in time to bring about the fullness of justice. May I always be prepared for that day through a life lived in union with You and Your holy will. I pray for that day to come quickly, dear Lord, and that all Your children will be ready to meet You when You come. Jesus, I trust in You.
Lord Jesus, fill me with gratitude for the gift of redemption and increase my hope and longing for your return again in glory. May that day bring joy to my heart rather than sorrow. Help me to serve you faithfully and to make the best use of my time now in the light of your coming again.
Daily Reflections on Divine Mercy
Reflection 332: Never Grow Weary of the Cross
The Lord speaks much about sufferings to Saint Faustina. She suffered much through humiliations and through physical illness. And Jesus never tired of reminding her that her sufferings take on great power when united to His Cross. This message must never be forgotten. Though suffering may not be a “happy” topic, it is a joyous one when properly understood. When you realize that your sufferings can act as an instrument of the Mercy of God in the world, you will not hesitate to embrace them and to unite them to Christ. Never doubt this sacred instrument of God’s Mercy (See Diary #1612).
Sufferings and the talk of sufferings can be wearisome, but only when they are not united to the Cross of our Lord. When they are united to His Cross, the burden becomes light. Reflect upon whether you understand this and live it. If you are living it you will find that your sufferings are no longer a heavy burden, they become a joy. Though it is hard to arrive at this level of surrender, it is your calling and the reward awaits.
Lord, may I never grow weary of offering You every pain and suffering I endure. When serious hardships come my way, help me to give them to You. When small discomforts come my way, help me to give them to You. I unite all things to Your glorious Cross, dear Lord, and trust in Your unfathomable power to transform them. Jesus, I trust in You.
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