Friday of the Thirty-fourth Week in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 507
Reading 1
Revelation 20:1-4, 11—21:2
I, John, saw an angel come down from heaven,
holding in his hand the key to the abyss and a heavy chain.
He seized the dragon, the ancient serpent,
which is the Devil or Satan,
and tied it up for a thousand years and threw it into the abyss,
which he locked over it and sealed,
so that it could no longer lead the nations astray
until the thousand years are completed.
After this, it is to be released for a short time.
Then I saw thrones; those who sat on them were entrusted with judgment.
I also saw the souls of those who had been beheaded
for their witness to Jesus and for the word of God,
and who had not worshiped the beast or its image
nor had accepted its mark on their foreheads or hands.
They came to life and they reigned with Christ for a thousand years.
Next I saw a large white throne and the one who was sitting on it.
The earth and the sky fled from his presence
and there was no place for them.
I saw the dead, the great and the lowly, standing before the throne,
and scrolls were opened.
Then another scroll was opened, the book of life.
The dead were judged according to their deeds,
by what was written in the scrolls.
The sea gave up its dead;
then Death and Hades gave up their dead.
All the dead were judged according to their deeds.
Then Death and Hades were thrown into the pool of fire.
(This pool of fire is the second death.)
Anyone whose name was not found written in the book of life
was thrown into the pool of fire.
Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth.
The former heaven and the former earth had passed away,
and the sea was no more.
I also saw the holy city, a new Jerusalem,
coming down out of heaven from God,
prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.
Responsorial Psalm
Psalm 84:3, 4, 5-6A AND 8A
R. (Rev. 21:3b) Here God lives among his people.
My soul yearns and pines
for the courts of the LORD.
My heart and my flesh
cry out for the living God.
R. Here God lives among his people.
Even the sparrow finds a home,
and the swallow a nest
in which she puts her young–
Your altars, O LORD of hosts,
my king and my God!
R. Here God lives among his people.
Blessed they who dwell in your house!
continually they praise you.
Blessed the men whose strength you are!
They go from strength to strength.
R. Here God lives among his people.
Alleluia
Luke 21:28
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Stand erect and raise your heads
because your redemption is at hand.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel
Luke 21:29-33
Jesus told his disciples a parable.
“Consider the fig tree and all the other trees.
When their buds burst open,
you see for yourselves and know that summer is now near;
in the same way, when you see these things happening,
know that the Kingdom of God is near.
Amen, I say to you, this generation will not pass away
until all these things have taken place.
Heaven and earth will pass away,
but my words will not pass away.”
Reflection 1
Catholic Daily Reflections
Relying Upon the Word of God
“Amen, I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things have taken place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.” Luke 21:32–33
As we approach the final days of this liturgical year, we continue to read about the end of the world. Today we read that both Heaven and earth, as they currently are, will pass away. This is worth pondering.
We know that life is full of change. It has been said that the one thing that never changes is change itself. Everything else changes. But when it comes to earth, it is hard to believe that it will one day “pass away.” Some scientists believe that the earth has existed for over four and a half billion years. That’s a long time! Now consider the fact that Jesus prophesied the end of this earth as we know it today. When will it happen? Only God knows.
Heaven, as it exists today, is also prophesied by our Lord to pass away. Heaven, as it is right now, is a pure spiritual reality in which the only corporeal bodies present are those of Jesus and our Blessed Mother. The rest of Heaven consists of the Divine Essence, the souls of those who have been redeemed and the angels of God. But if Heaven even passes away, what awaits?
First of all, the only reason that these two realities, Heaven and earth, will pass away in their current form is because, at the Final Judgment, there will be a “New Heavens and a New Earth,” as spoken of in the Book of Revelation. At that time, Heaven and earth will be united as one, and this new creation will exist for eternity.
But is there anything that is currently eternal? Anything that will never experience change? We humans will be changed at the resurrection of the dead, the angels will encounter a new home, so to speak, and God will establish a new and permanent Kingship. But, according to Jesus’ teaching today, the one thing that will remain are His words: “…my words will not pass away.” Again, this is worth pondering.
In a world filled with change and uncertainty, we need some form of stability. And that stability is the Truth found in the Word of God. The Word of God, as revealed to us through the Scriptures, must become our rock foundation upon which our whole lives are built and exist. Pondering, praying with, meditating on, and believing the Word of God enables us to stand on firm and unchanging spiritual ground as we go through the change of this life and even the changes that will come at the end of time. Though this may seem somewhat mysterious in nature, it is a helpful truth to understand and believe. Everything will pass away except Jesus’ words. Thus, the most secure thing we can do in life is to cling to His words and never let go.
Reflect, today, upon the importance of truly immersing yourself in the Word of God. How much time do you spend each week reading it, praying with it and allowing it to become your daily food? The Word of God is not simply a book of teachings meant to inspire you or guide you. The Word of God is a Living Word. It is God in His unchangeable form. God, in His essence, will never change, and engaging Him through the revelation of His written Word is one essential way by which you will be able to experience true stability in life and prepare for each and every change to come until the final order of life is permanently established.
Reflection 2
One Bread, One Body
BY THE BOOK
“The book of the living was opened. The dead were judged according to their conduct as recorded on the scrolls.” —Revelation 20:12
At the Last Judgment, the Lord is seated on “a large white throne” (Rv 20:11). You are standing before His throne as He opens “the book of the living” (Rv 20:12). You hope the Lord will find your name in this book, for “anyone whose name was not found inscribed in the book of the living was hurled into [the] pool of fire” (Rv 20:15).
As you wait, you remember what the Lord told Moses: “Him only who has sinned against Me will I strike out of My book” (Ex 32:33). You know all your actions are written down in this book (Ps 139:16), and you remember the many times you have sinned. You begin to fear for your eternal soul.
The record of your conduct is now being read from the book. You stand amazed as God recounts all the tears you have shed (Ps 56:9). An entry in the book states that you have trusted and feared Him (Mal 3:16). However, none of your sins have been read to the heavenly assembly. Jesus shows you the pages containing your deeds, and there are many gaps in the written record of your life. He says: “Each time you repented, I cast your sins into the depths of the sea” (see Mi 7:19; Jer 31:34; Ps 51:11; 103:12). Then Jesus says: “Come, share your Master’s joy!” (Mt 25:21)
If you repent (Rv 3:3) and live a life worthy of your calling (Eph 4:1; Rv 3:4), Jesus promises: “I will never erase [your] name from the book of the living, but will acknowledge [you] in the presence of My Father and His angels” (Rv 3:5).
Prayer: Jesus, my Savior, help me to repent of every sin, forgive all who have hurt me, and lead others to receive Your mercy.
Promise: “Know that the reign of God is near.” —Lk 21:31
Praise: When the Bible became God’s living Word for Marvin, he received the grace to permanently turn from his sins.
Reflection 3
By Fr. Martin Hogan
The gospel reading begins with one of the signs of the coming of Summer in the land of Jesus. When the fig tree begins to bud, then people recognize that Summer is near. Summer seems a long way off for us. There are signs of Autumn everywhere. There are some lovely Autumn colours about at the moment. We know that Autumn will give way to Winter and we associate winter in particular with the months of December, January and February. It will be March before we see real signs of the Summer to come in the form of buds on those trees that are first to come into leaf. The seasons come and then they go. The seasons change, just as so much changes in our world and in our lives. However, at the very end of the gospel reading Jesus says that there is something which never changes, which endures. ‘Heaven and earth will pass away’, he says, ‘but my words will never pass away’. The Lord has given us the gift of his word. We find it in the whole of the Scriptures, but especially within New Testament and, more particularly, within the four gospels. That word which does not pass away is an expression, a revelation, of the Lord who does not pass away, who is always present to us, in good times and in bad, in season and out of season.
Prayers
My Eternal Word, You are unchanging and eternal. You are the rock foundation upon which I must always rely. As I continue to experience the many changes encountered in this life, please enter my soul through Your written Word, so that I will find the stability I need. As I stand firm in You, I look forward with joy to the New Heavens and New Earth that await. Jesus, I trust in You.
Lord Jesus Christ, you are the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end of all history, and the lord of all creation. Give me joyful hope and assurance that I will see you face to face and be united with you forever when you return in glory.
Daily Reflections on Divine Mercy
Reflection 333: Simplicity
Life can appear to be complicated at times and so can we. But the truth is that we need to cut through the complexities of life and realize that, from the perspective and Will of God, life is simple. It’s simple in that all we need to do is say “Yes” to Him every day, surrendering all to Him and trusting Him every step of the way. We must be diligent in responding to His promptings and grace, but we do not have to enter into the entire complicated world, figure it out and solve it. This is too much and is far better done by God. Seek to be a simple soul who trusts in the perfect wisdom of God and He will sort life out for you (See Diary #1617).
Do you find that your life appears complicated at times? Reflect upon this question and if the answer is “Yes” it’s probably because you are trying to do more than God is asking and to solve questions that He already knows the answers to. Turn to Him, today, as a simple trusting soul. Be ready and willing to respond to anything He communicates to you and do it with passion and diligence, but do not worry about all the apparent complexities of life. The Lord understands them well and will navigate you through their confusion.
Lord, I pray that I may become a simple soul. I choose to follow this path led by absolute trust in You and Your wisdom. You know all things, dear Lord, and You will guide me every step of the way through the apparent complexities of life if I let You. I do believe this dear Lord. Help me believe it with all my soul. Jesus, I trust in You.
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