There are some things people don’t like to think or talk about. The major ones are about death, that is our own impending death and the end times. Some will say, “why think about it at all when you have no control over it?” Others, “Just live and be merry, life is too short to be worrying about such things.” Are we then called to live fearful lives?
We, my dear sisters and brothers are called to live loving lives in Christ. To think about our death and the end times from time to time in a sense, gives us an opportunity to humbly keep score. Have we loved enough? Have we strived for holiness? Have we done what our Heavenly Father has willed for us? Or have we instead chosen and grown in our sins, bloated to the degree that we are ripe to be crushed? If we choose love and live according to the Will of God our Father then the only fear we will and should have is the fear out of love in offending Him in any way.
Lord Jesus I desire to live not in this world but in the world to come with You. Help me to remain faithful and steadfast on my pilgrim journey back to You. In Your most precious name, I pray. Amen
First reading
Apocalypse 14:14-19
In my vision I, John, saw a white cloud and, sitting on it, one like a son of man with a gold crown on his head and a sharp sickle in his hand. Then another angel came out of the sanctuary, and shouted aloud to the one sitting on the cloud, ‘Put your sickle in and reap: harvest time has come and the harvest of the earth is ripe.’ Then the one sitting on the cloud set his sickle to work on the earth, and the earth’s harvest was reaped.
Another angel, who also carried a sharp sickle, came out of the temple in heaven, and the angel in charge of the fire left the altar and shouted aloud to the one with the sharp sickle, ‘Put your sickle in and cut all the bunches off the vine of the earth; all its grapes are ripe.’ So the angel set his sickle to work on the earth and harvested the whole vintage of the earth and put it into a huge winepress, the winepress of God’s anger.
Gospel
Luke 21:5-11
When some were talking about the Temple, remarking how it was adorned with fine stonework and votive offerings, Jesus said, ‘All these things you are staring at now – the time will come when not a single stone will be left on another: everything will be destroyed.’ And they put to him this question: ‘Master,’ they said ‘when will this happen, then, and what sign will there be that this is about to take place?’
‘Take care not to be deceived,’ he said ‘because many will come using my name and saying, “I am he” and, “The time is near at hand.” Refuse to join them. And when you hear of wars and revolutions, do not be frightened, for this is something that must happen but the end is not so soon.’ Then he said to them, ‘Nation will fight against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be great earthquakes and plagues and famines here and there; there will be fearful sights and great signs from heaven.’
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