Tuesday of the Thirty-Fourth, or Last, Week in Ordinary Time

Readings of the Day
RB: 48:1-9 The Daily Manual Labor
Mass: Rev 14:14-19; Resp Ps 96; Lk 21:5-11

Let the plains be joyful and all that is in them! Then all the trees of the forest exult.

Several texts from today's Mass stand out. First, the Gospel Acclamation: Remain faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life. Second, the Communion Antiphon: I am the light of the world, says the Lord; whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life. We are called to seek what is above (Col 3:2); to keep our sights on the one 'sitting on a cloud who looked like a son of man' (Rev 14:14). We must pray for focus. Jesus warns us in today's Gospel: 'See that you are not deceived' (Lk 21:8). It is easy to get distracted and caught up in the various earthquakes, famines, and plagues that take many shapes and forms. Life is a bumpy ride. We become anxious; afraid. In today's homily, the Holy Father suggests we take inventory of our lives. He said, to think 'about the end, about the end of the world, about the end of one's life, is wise. Wise people do this.' Questions we might ask ourselves during this last week in Ordinary Time include: 'What would I like to fix because it doesn't work? What would I like to sustain or develop because it's good?' Let us pray for one another, that we receive the grace to remain faithful, to keep fixed on the LIGHT of Jesus Christ; His LOVE for us; His MERCY. A third text from the Mass to keep on our lips comes from the Entrance Antiphon and Ps 31: In you, O Lord, I put my trust, let me never be put to shame; in your justice deliver me. 

This week, let's ask the Holy Spirit for the wisdom of time, the wisdom regarding the end, the wisdom of the resurrection, the wisdom of the eternal encounter with Jesus … It will be a joyful day, that meeting with Jesus. Let us pray so that the Lord might prepare us. 

(Pope Francis, homily, November 27, 2018)

NB. Today's photo was sent by a friend and faithful reader. This shot was taken on one of her hikes, in McDonald State Forest, Corvallis, Oregon. Beauty abounds!