NOVEMBER 27, 2012 : TUESDAY OF THE THIRTY-FOURTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME

Tuesday of the Thirty-fourth Week in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 504

Reading 1 Rv 14:14-19

I, John, looked and there was a white cloud,
and sitting on the cloud one who looked like a son of man,
with a gold crown on his head and a sharp sickle in his hand.
Another angel came out of the temple,
crying out in a loud voice to the one sitting on the cloud,
"Use your sickle and reap the harvest,
for the time to reap has come,
because the earth's harvest is fully ripe."
So the one who was sitting on the cloud swung his sickle over the earth,
and the earth was harvested.

Then another angel came out of the temple in heaven
who also had a sharp sickle.
Then another angel came from the altar, who was in charge of the fire,
and cried out in a loud voice
to the one who had the sharp sickle,
"Use your sharp sickle and cut the clusters from the earth's vines,
for its grapes are ripe."
So the angel swung his sickle over the earth and cut the earth's vintage.
He threw it into the great wine press of God's fury.

Responsorial Psalm Ps 96:10, 11-12, 13

R. (13b) The Lord comes to judge the earth.
Say among the nations: The LORD is king.
He has made the world firm, not to be moved;
he governs the peoples with equity.
R. The Lord comes to judge the earth.
Let the heavens be glad and the earth rejoice;
let the sea and what fills it resound;
let the plains be joyful and all that is in them!
Then shall all the trees of the forest exult.
R. The Lord comes to judge the earth.
Before the LORD, for he comes;
for he comes to rule the earth.
He shall rule the world with justice
and the peoples with his constancy.
R. The Lord comes to judge the earth.

Gospel Lk 21:5-11

While some people were speaking about
how the temple was adorned with costly stones and votive offerings,
Jesus said, "All that you see here?
the days will come when there will not be left
a stone upon another stone that will not be thrown down."

Then they asked him,
"Teacher, when will this happen?
And what sign will there be when all these things are about to happen?"
He answered,
"See that you not be deceived,
for many will come in my name, saying,
'I am he,' and 'The time has come.'
Do not follow them!
When you hear of wars and insurrections,
do not be terrified; for such things must happen first,
but it will not immediately be the end."
Then he said to them,
"Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom.
There will be powerful earthquakes, famines, and plagues
from place to place;
and awesome sights and mighty signs will come from the sky."

www.usccb.org

Meditation:"Take heed that you are not led astray"

How would you respond if someone prophesied that your church or place of worship would be destroyed? In 1972 a violent earthquake ripped through the center of Managua and destroyed the great cathedral church. This was only the beginning of the troubles for the tiny nation and Christian community of Nicaragua which suffered great turmoil and loss in the civil war that ensued for more than a decade. Out of the ashes of destruction and the ravages of communism has emerged a humbler yearning for spiritual renewal and religious freedom. Jesus foretold many signs that would point to God's action in the world to purify and renew his people. To the great consternation of the Jews, Jesus prophesied the destruction of their temple at Jerusalem. The Jewish people took great pride in their temple, a marvel of the ancient world. The foretelling of this destruction was a dire warning of spiritual judgment in itself. They asked Jesus for a sign that would indicate when this disastrous event would occur. Jesus admonished them to not look for signs that would indicate the exact timing of impending destruction, but rather to seek and pray for God's intervention of grace and mercy. Jesus said there would be many signs of impending conflicts and disasters – such as wars, famines, diseases, tidal waves, and earthquakes – which would precede the struggles of the last days when God's anointed King would return to usher in the full reign of God over the earth. In that day when the Lord returns there will be a final judgement of the living and the dead when the secrets of every heart will be brough to light (Luke 12:2-3; Romans 2:16).
Jesus' prophecy of the destruction of the temple at Jerusalem was a two-edged sword, because it pointed not only to God's judgment, but also to his saving action and mercy. Jesus foretold the destruction of Jerusalem and the dire consequences for all who would reject him and his saving message. While the destruction of Jerusalem's temple was determined (it was razed by the Romans in 70 A.D.), there remained for its inhabitants a narrow open door leading to deliverance. Jesus said: "I am the door; whoever enters by me will be saved" (John 10:9).  Jesus willingly set his face toward Jerusalem, knowing that he would meet betrayal, rejection, and death on a cross. His death on the cross, however, brought about true freedom, peace, and victory over the powers of sin, evil, and death – not only for the inhabitants of Jerusalem, but for all – both Jew and Gentile alike – who would accept Jesus as their Lord and Savior. Do you know the peace and security of a life submitted to the lordship of Jesus Christ?
Sometimes we don't recognize the moral crisis and spiritual conflict of the age in which we live, until something "shakes us up" to the reality of this present condition. God reminds us that a future judgment and outcome awaits every individual who has lived on this earth. The reward for doing what is right and pleasing to God and the penalty for sinful rebellion and rejection of God are not always experienced in this present life; but they are sure to come in the God's day of final judgment. The Lord Jesus tells us that there will be trials, suffering, and persecution in this present age until he comes again at the end of the world. God intends our anticipation of his final judgment to be a powerful deterrent to unfaithfulness and wrongdoing. God extends grace and mercy to all who will heed his call and his warning. Do not pass up, even for one day, God's invitation of grace and mercy to seek first his kingdom of righteousness and peace. This day may be your only chance before that final day comes.
"Lord Jesus, your grace and mercy abounds even in the midst of trails and difficulties. Help me to seek your kingdom first and to reject whatever would hinder me from pursuing your way of righteousness and holiness. Fill me with the joy and hope of your everlasting kingdom."
www.dailyscripture.net

Why So Glum?

Tuesday of the Thirty-Fourth Week in Ordinary Time

Father Edward McIlmail, LC Luke 21:5-11 While some people were speaking about how the Temple was adorned with costly stones and votive offerings, Jesus said, "All that you see here -- the days will come when there will not be left a stone upon another stone that will not be thrown down." Then they asked him, "Teacher, when will this happen? And what sign will there be when all these things are about to happen?" He answered, "See that you not be deceived, for many will come in my name, saying, ´I am he,´ and ´The time has come.´ Do not follow them! When you hear of wars and insurrections, do not be terrified; for such things must happen first, but it will not immediately be the end." Then he said to them, "Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be powerful earthquakes, famines and plagues from place to place; and awesome sights and mighty signs will come from the sky.” Introductory Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank you for this special time I have with you. It´s one of the few calm moments of the day. Your presence reassures me that I don´t have to endure the trials of the day alone. You are my strength and my peace. I wish to abide in your love. Petition: Jesus, help me to keep hoping despite the crises in my life. 1. Temple of Doom: For the Jews, the Temple in Jerusalem was the center of religious and cultural life. It contained the Holy of Holies, the sanctuary that once housed the Ark of the Covenant. The people were proud of the Temple, but Jesus warns them that the day will arrive when it will be destroyed (as indeed it was, in A.D. 70). Yet the end of the Temple will not be the end of religion. Jesus himself will remain with us, as he does to this day, in the Eucharist. Likewise, no matter what else passes away — our house, our office, our school — Christ remains. Does that belief fill me with confidence? 2. Be Not Deceived: Jesus doesn´t directly answer the question about when the Temple will be destroyed. Rather, he tries to get his listeners to focus on what is really important: their faith. Our Lord warns them not to listen to the wrong people. Throughout the course of a normal day, to whom do we listen? Whose voices are on our radios, our TV sets? Who really has our ear day–by-day? Worldly talk-show hosts? The news media´s "instant experts"? MTV gurus? Jesus cautions us that the people we listen to might affect the quality of our lives — and the quality of our eternity. Do I judge carefully, then, the voices I listen to? 3. Do Not Be Terrified: Tsunamis, floods, terrorist attacks, wars, abortion, euthanasia -- is the world a nicer place today than in Jesus´ time? Our Lord was no stranger to bad news. He knew about the tower in Siloam that killed 18 people (see Luke 13:4) -- and he knew what awaited him on Good Friday. Yet he always remained hopeful and encouraged the best in people. As his followers, we too must be witnesses to hope. We need to brighten the lives of those around us. More importantly we need to remind others that God will win in the end. "Good, not evil, has the last word," Pope John Paul II told the general audience of Oct. 17, 2001, "God triumphs over the hostile powers, even when they seem great and invincible." Conversation with Christ: Lord, I know in my mind that you will win in the end. If only my heart would believe that, too! Grant me this grace. Grant that my life will show that kind of optimism at every moment. Resolution:I will make a small sacrifice or offer up a special prayer for someone suffering today.

www.regnumchristi.com

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 27
LUKE 21:5-11
(Revelation 14:14-19; Psalm 96)
KEY VERSE: "The days will come when there will not be left a stone upon another stone that will not be thrown down" (v 6).
READING: Luke wrote his gospel after the destruction of Jerusalem and its Temple by the Romans in 70 CE. The Temple was the center of Jewish religious life, and theybelieved that as long as it stood they were secure. In the manner of Jeremiah, Jesus warned against putting faith in an earthly edifice (Jer 7:4-7). Jesus told the people who were admiring the magnificent Temple that one day it would be reduced to rubble. Many believed that the destruction of the Temple would be a sign portending the end of the age. Jesus' disciples must not be misled by this false teaching, nor by those who pointed to wars and cosmic signs as proof that the final age had come. Jesus' followers were not to fear the end of time, but were to put their faith and trust in the one who has dominion over all time.
REFLECTING: Do I stand firm in faith despite the world's upheavals?
PRAYING: Lord Jesus, give me confidence in God's plan in these stress-filled times.
www.daily-word-of-life.com

The Lord comes to judge the earth
‘Not a single stone will be left upon another.’
Jesus offers some strong words. They are echoed in so much we see in our world. It can be easy, sometimes, to despair. Could we be experiencing ‘the winepress of God’s anger?’ However, he goes on, ‘When you hear of wars and revolutions, do not be afraid.’ After all, this is he who also said: ‘Fear not, I have overcome the world.’

Let us heed the words of the psalmist, and shout for joy at presence of the Lord God. May our God give us the strength to trust in his Son, to believe him when he says he will stay with us always. 
www.churchresources.info
November 27
St. Francesco Antonio Fasani
1681-1742

Born in Lucera (southeast Italy), Francesco entered the Conventual Franciscans in 1695. After his ordination 10 years later, he taught philosophy to younger friars, served as guardian of his friary and later became provincial. When his term of office ended, Francesco became master of novices and finally pastor in his hometown.

In his various ministries, he was loving, devout and penitential. He was a sought-after confessor and preacher. One witness at the canonical hearings regarding Francesco’s holiness testified, "In his preaching he spoke in a familiar way, filled as he was with the love of God and neighbor; fired by the Spirit, he made use of the words and deed of Holy Scripture, stirring his listeners and moving them to do penance." Francesco showed himself a loyal friend of the poor, never hesitating to seek from benefactors what was needed.

At his death in Lucera, children ran through the streets and cried out, "The saint is dead! The saint is dead!" Francesco was canonized in 1986.

Comment:

Eventually we become what we choose. If we choose stinginess, we become stingy. If we choose compassion, we become compassionate. The holiness of Francesco Antonio Fasani resulted from his many small decisions to cooperate with God’s grace.

Quote:

During his homily at the canonization of Francesco, Pope John Paul II reflected on John 21:15 in which Jesus asks Peter if he loves Jesus more than the other apostles and then tells Peter, "Feed my lambs." The pope observed that in the final analysis human holiness is decided by love. "He [Francesco] made the love taught us by Christ the fundamental characteristic of his existence, the basic criterion of his thought and activity, the supreme summit of his aspirations" (L'Osservatore Romano, vol. 16, number 3, 1986).

www.americancatholic.org

St. James Intercisus

Feastday: November 27
James was a favorite of King Yezdigerd I of Persia and a Christian. He abandoned his religion when Yesdigerd launched a persecution of the Christians. When the king died, James repented of his apostasy and declared himself to be a Christian to the new king, Bahram. When James refused to apostasize, he was executed by having his body cut apart piece by piece, beginning with his fingers (hence his surname Intercisus - cut to pieces), and then beheaded. His feast day is November 27.
www.catholic.org

MIGUEL DE LA FUENTE (1574-1626) O.CARM. PRIEST (venerable)

Liturgy:  Tuesday, November 27, 2012

 Miguel de la Fuente was born March 2, 1573 in Valdelaguna Spain, about thirty miles from Madrid. He was one of at least 5 children. His parents, Francisco and Caterina were known for their deep faith put into practice, particularly in caring for orphans and widows. The priority in their house was the practice of their Catholic faith. Miguel was an alter server in the parish.

When Miguel was about sixteen, he went to Madrid to study at the Jesuit school. At the age of twenty he entered the novitiate of the Carmelite Order in Valdermoro where his brother was sub-prior. He most likely studied the Institution of the First Monks which at that time was believed to be the primitive Rule of the Order, preceding the actual Rule of St. Albert. Years later, in 1619, he composed a historical compendium of Mary’s Carmel, and he borrowed many elements from this book, especially relating to the Carmel’s historical development in the Church.

Miguel was professed on May 29, 1594 and went to the University of Salamanca to continue his theological studies in preparation for ordination. He was ordained a priest in 1597 at the age of 24. Upon completion of his studies at the University (about 6 years of study), he was assigned to the Carmel in Valladolid as visiting teacher of theology and master of students. After a few years, he was sent to Avila as formator.

He eventually was transferred to the ancient house of San Pablo de la Moraleja, probably the first Carmelite foundation in Castile, where he served as pastor. Here he was able to commit himself to the contemplative life and to serve the poor. He didn’t stay at San Pablo long though, but he was so loved by the people, there was an official protest when he was transferred to Segovia.

In Segovia he was master of novices and became involved with the lay movement which he organized into a ‘congregation’ and for which he wrote the bylaws. Here too, he was committed to be of service to his neighbor, and another protest ensued a few years later when he was transferred to Toldeo where he spent the rest of his life.

Toledo at the time had sixty friars, ten or twelve of which were students, and Fr. Miguel was to take over the novitiate there. His goal was to make the students into men of deep prayer. The main components being the Person of Jesus Christ, the practice of the presence of God, silence and solitude, and devotion for the Blessed Virgin Mary.

He strove to share his spirituality by his witness; especially in showing kindness towards the sick and weak, and this witness proved to be the best teaching. A whole generation of young Carmelites who passed through his novitiate for ten years proved to be an outstanding spiritual force in Spanish Carmel for years afterwards.

In Toledo, as in the other Carmels where Fr. Miguel was, he was an especially effective spiritual director, graced with the gift of discernment of souls; not just to his fellow friars, but for all souls intent on a more serious spiritual life. One such person was Bl. Mary of Jesus, who testified at his beautification process: “His virtue and perfection were greater than what people said about him. In sharing spiritual matters with him… he was able to inspire souls, provide them with light and set them on the correct path towards God”

A favorite subject of meditation for Fr. Miguel was the Passion of the Lord. Beginning with Monday, he outlined 7 phases of the Passion and corresponding virtues to be practiced: The prayer in the Garden and humility; The imprisonment of Jesus and repentance; The flogging at the pillar and patience; The crowning with thorns and meekness; The crucifixion and death of Christ and obedience; The taking down from the cross and love for Jesus Christ; and The resurrection of Christ and hope.

He eventually published a well-known book “Book of the Three Lives of Man, Corporal, Rational and Spiritual”. In the first, Corporal stage, the main concern is to rid oneself of sin and the habits of sin by uprooting the unruly interior inclinations that lead to one’s downfall. This purgative way is marked by a commitment to prayer in the form of the daily offering, the practice of the presence of God during the day, and an examination of conscience in the evening. He urges the use of the imagination in one’s openness to God; Mondays look at God as Creator; Tuesdays as Judge; Wednesday as King; Thursdays as Spouse; Fridays as Creator; Saturdays as Savior.

The second, Rational stage, concentrates on the interior rational person. This illuminative way is characterized by an ever deepening conformity to Christ Jesus who becomes the center of one’s life, affections, and aspirations.

The final, Spiritual stage, Fr. Miguel characterizes a spiritual, intimate life known for its recollection, quiet, silence, solitude, fervent aspirations. With these, the soul is enflamed and burns with the love of God. In this stage, aspirations reach their highest form; God is experienced as the center of one’s being.

“O immense Love, embrace me in your fire.

My one Good, penetrate my interior being.

Unspeakable Delight, take your delight in me.

Let the force of your love completely overwhelm me.

Bind me to yourself with unbreakable bonds.

Whether alive or dead, I will be yours completely”

Fr. Miguel was also dedicated to the lay persons who belonged to the Carmelite Third Order. His book, “Rule and way of life of the men and women tertiaries of Our Lady of Mount Carmel” (Toledo, 1615) turned out to be a milestone in the development of the Third order’s charism in Carmel. Prior to this time, the ideal of tertiaries were to live in the world but as much as possible imitating the life style of the friars and nuns. At the beginning of the 17th century, several authors including Fr. Miguel, began to question this approach. Fr. Miguel believed the Third Order was not meant only for consecrated women, but also for men and for the married. Each tertiary was to take the vow of chastity according to one’s state in life. This approach was to prevail in the Carmelite Order especially under the leadership of Prior General Theodore Stratius.

At the beatification process many tertiaries witnessed to his heroic holiness. Rather than urging the imitation of cloistered life in the world, Fr. Miguel’s Rule for them urged a spirit of prayer, concentrated in several periods of formal prayer.

Throughout his life, the celebration of the Eucharist was at the center of his spiritual way. He understood that such a sublime Mystery demanded assiduous and constant preparation. He could spend three hours preparing for the celebration of Mass. He was known for his desire that the Divine Office be celebrated well and fervently. For him, progress in the spiritual life can be measured by progress in prayer.

Following the teaching of St. John of the Cross, whom Miguel de la Fuente deeply appreciated, he teaches that the most intimate of unions with the Lord Jesus comes in no other way than by a deepening of the effectiveness of the theological virtues. The intelligence is raised to unsuspected heights by faith, the memory by hope and the will by charity.

He was known as someone who cherished recollection to the extent that he seemed to alternate between his cell and chapel. His daily apostolic activities meant that he prayed during the night hours, preferable from ten to four in the morning. He would spend the time before the Blessed Sacrament, either kneeling or standing, lost in contemplation. He was also admired for his life of mortification. He was content with bread and water, a little broth, or a plate of soup. He usually slept on the ground, on boards or a well-worn mattress.

In the middle of August 1625, at the age of fifty-three, Fr. Miguel fell gravely ill while on mission to establish a Carmelite Confraternity in Villarejo de Salvanes. He returned immediately to Toledo and stayed there about a month until his doctor took him into his home where he was taken care of by the Doctor’s sister, a Carmelite tertiary. The last three months of his life, he was assailed by sufferings of all kinds, the worst of which were doubts about the faith. Finally after having celebrated the last rites, his nephew (with the same name) commended his uncle’s soul to the Lord. Fr. Miguel held a crucifix in his hands; an appropriate symbol of his lifelong devotion for the Passion of Christ which he had shared with innumerable souls. He died without apparent agony, closing his eyes at 12:30pm on November 27, 1625.

The cause for his beatification was finished on the diocesan level within ten years of his death. The cause never progressed though which is a mystery that not even the most expert of researchers have been able to explain.

LECTIO: LUKE 21,5-11

Lectio: 

 Tuesday, November 27, 2012  

Ordinary Time

1) Opening prayer

Lord,
increase our eagerness to do your will
and help us to know the saving power of your love.
You live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

2) Gospel reading - 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 it is about to take place?'
But he said, 'Take care not to be deceived, because many will come using my name and saying, "I am the one" and "The time is near at hand." Refuse to join them. And when you hear of wars and revolutions, do not be terrified, for this is something that must happen first, but the end will not come at once.' Then he said to them, 'Nation will fight against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be great earthquakes and plagues and famines in various places; there will be terrifying events and great signs from heaven.

3) Reflection

• The Gospel today begins with the discourse of Jesus called the Apocalyptic Discourse. It is a long discourse, which will be the theme of the Gospels in the next days up to the last week of the ecclesial year. For us of the XXI century, the apocalyptic language is strange and confused. But for the poor and persecuted people of the Christian communities of that time these were the words that everybody understood and the principal purpose of which was to animate the faith and the hope of the poor and of the oppressed. The apocalyptic language is the fruit of the witness of faith of these poor people, who, in spite of the persecution and against all contrary appearances, continued to believe that God was with them and that he continued to be the Lord of history.
• Luke 21, 5-7: Introduction to the Apocalyptic Discourse. In the days previous to the Apocalyptic Discourse, Jesus had broken away from the Temple (Lk 19, 45-48), with the priests and the elders (Lk 20,1-26), with the Sadducees (Lk 20, 27-40), with the Scribes who exploited the widows (Lk 20, 41-47) and at the end, as we have seen in yesterday’s Gospel, he ends by praising the widow who gave as alms all she possessed (Lk 21,1-4). Now, in today’s Gospel, listening that “while some were talking about the Temple, remarking how it was adorned with fine stonework and votive offerings, Jesus said: “The time will come when not a single stone will be left on another everything will be destroyed”. In listening to this comment of Jesus, the disciples asked: “Master, when will this happen, then, and what sign will there be that it is about to take place?” They ask for more information. The Apocalyptic Discourse which follows is the response of Jesus to this question of the disciples on when and on how the destruction of the Temple will take place. The Gospel of Mark informs the following on the context in which Jesus pronounces this discourse. He says that Jesus had left the city and was now sitting on the Mount of Olives (Mk 13, 2-4). There, from the top of the mountain he had a majestic view of the Temple. Mark also says that there were only four disciples who listened to his last discourse. At the beginning of his preaching, three years before, there in Galilee, the crowds followed Jesus to listen to his words. Now, in the last discourse, there are only four who listen: Peter, James, John and Andrew (Mk 13, 3). Efficiency and a good result are not always measured by the quantity!
• Luke 21, 8: Objective of the discourse: "Take care not to be deceived!” The disciples had asked: “Master, when will this happen, then, and what sign will there be that it is about to take place?” Jesus begins his response with a warning: “Take care not to be deceived. Many will come using my name and saying, ‘I am the one’ and ‘the time is near at hand’; refuse to join them”. At a time of changes and of confusion there are always persons who want to draw advantage from the situation deceiving the others. This happens today and it also happened in the years 80’s, at the time when Luke wrote his Gospel. In the face of the disasters and the wars of those years, in the face of the destruction of Jerusalem of the year 70 and of the persecution of the Christians on the part of the Roman Empire, many thought that the end of time was close at hand. There were people who said: “God no longer controls the events! We are lost!” This is why the main concern of the Apocalyptic Discourses is always the same: to help the communities to discern better the signs of the times so as not to be deceived by the conversation of people concerning the end of the world: "Take care not to be deceived”. Then follows the discourse which offers signs to help them discern and thus, increases their hope.
• Luke 21, 9-11: Signs to help them to read the facts. After this brief introduction, begins the discourse properly so called: “When you hear of wars and revolutions, do not be terrified, for this is something that must happen first, but the end will not come at once” Then he said to them: “Nation will fight against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be great earthquakes and plagues and famines in various places, there will be terrifying events and great signs from heaven”. To understand these words well, it is well to recall what follows: Jesus lives and speaks in the year 33. The readers of Luke live and listen in the year 85. Now, in the 5o years between the year 33 and the year 85, the majority of things, mentioned by Jesus, had already taken place and were known by everybody. For example, in diverse parts of the world there were wars, false prophets arose, there were sicknesses and plagues and, in Asia Minor, the earthquakes were frequent. According to the apocalyptic style, the discourse lists all these events, one after the other, as signs or stages of the project of God in the history of the People of God, from the time of Jesus down to our time:
1st sign: the false Messiahs (Lk 21, 8);
2nd sign: war and revolutions (Lk 21, 9);
3rd sign: nations which fight against other nations, one kingdom against another kingdom (Lk 21, 10);
4th sign: earthquakes in different parts (Lk 21, 11);
5th sign: hunger, plagues and signs in the sky (Lk 21, 11).
Here ends the Gospel for today. That of tomorrow presents another sign: the persecution of the Christian communities (Lk 21, 12). The Gospel for day after tomorrow two signs: the destruction of Jerusalem and the beginning of the disintegration of creation. Thus, by means of these signs of the Apocalyptic Discourse, the communities of the years 80, the time when Luke wrote his Gospel, could calculate at what level the execution of God’s plan was, and discover that history had not escaped from the hands of God. Everything happened according to what was foretold and announced by Jesus in the Apocalyptic Discourse.

4) Personal questions

• What sentiment or feeling did you experience during the reading of today’s Gospel? Peace or fear?
• Do you think that the end of the world is close at hand? What can we answer to those who say that the end of the world is close at hand? How can we encourage people today to resist and to have hope?

5) Concluding prayer

Let the countryside exult, and all that is in it,
and all the trees of the forest cry out for joy,
at Yahweh's approach, for he is coming,
coming to judge the earth;
he will judge the world with saving justice,
and the nations with constancy. (Ps 96,12-13)

www.ocarm.org