Some days are memorable because they seem almost perfect. Nature is everywhere showcasing its most beautiful side. The sky is blue, the sun is shining, the air is clean and refreshing. Even the people we meet seem to be in a great mood. On such days it is easy to say “God is in his heaven, and all is right in the world.” Every day, however, is not so beautiful and wonderful. The forecast at times is stormy and severe like hurricanes or tornados with devastating effects. Or the newscasts filled with violent crimes: murder, rape, abuse, accidents, and drug and alcohol epidemics. Add to that our own personal problem of heath, relationships, or just trying to pay the bills. Such days test our faith and our endurance.
Today in our scriptures we hear of horrifying signs that may point to the end of the world; earthquakes and famines, wars and persecutions. Even though these warnings were given 2000 years ago or more and the world has not yet ended, they can still spur us to action now. This apocalyptic literature can be difficult to understand. These writings foresaw a dramatic and violent end of the world. The events that they imagined were enough to drive most people to fear or despair. But for God’s people there was always consolation because God is more powerful than any disaster. Luke, reassures his audience with Jesus’ words of comfort: “Do not be terrified. Not a hair on your head will be destroyed.”
It is not difficult to imagine that the world could be ending soon, what with terrorism, mass shootings, and extreme weather. Yes, terrible things are happening and will continue to happen. But this still “will not immediately be the end.” (Luke 21:9). “The sun of justice with its healing rays will arise.” (Malachi 3:20).
The truest measure of our faith is not in our achievements, no matter how good they make us feel, but in our endurance. We demonstrate our alliance with God in the way we accept victory, but even more so in the way we suffer defeat. Our world is full of woe. We need brave hearts and stronger wills to carry us through the troubled times. Create within us Lord the strength of your Son who bore his sufferings in faith and for the sake of love.
Love, Peace, Joy
Fr. Bob
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