Friday of the Thirty-fourth Week in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 507
Lectionary: 507
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.
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 PS 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.
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.
Gospel LK 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.”
“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.”
Meditation: "My words will not pass
away"
Do you recognize the
signs of God's presence and action among us today? Jesus used the
image of a fig tree to teach his disciples an important lesson about reading
the "signs of the times." The fig tree was a common and important
source of food for the Jews. It bore fruit twice a year, in the autumn and in
the early spring. The Talmud said that the first fruit came the day after
Passover. The Jews believed that when the Messiah came he would usher in the
kingdom of God at Passover time.
The early signs of a
changing season, such as springtime, summer, or autumn, are evident for all who
can see and observe the changes. Just so are the signs of God's kingdom and his
return in glory on the day of judgment. The "budding" of God's
kingdom begins first in the hearts of those who are receptive to God's word.
Those who trust in God's word will bear the fruits of his kingdom. And what are
the fruits of that kingdom? "The kingdom of God ..is righteousness and
peace and joy in the Holy Spirit" (Romans 14:17). The Lord gives the
first-fruits of his kingdom to those who open their hearts to him with
expectant faith and trust in his word.
We do not know the day
nor the hour when the Lord Jesus will return again in glory. But the Lord does
give us signs, not only to "wake us up" as a warning, but also to
"rouse our spirits" to be ready and eager to receive his kingdom when
he comes in all his power and glory. The "Day of the Lord" will
strike terror in those who have ignored or rejected God, but it will be a day
of joy and rejoicing for those who long to see the Lord face-to-face. The Lord
Jesus wants us to be filled with joyful anticipation for his coming again.
While we wait for the
Lord's physical return in glory, we can know his presence with us through the
work and action of the Holy Spirit who dwells in our hearts. The Lord Jesus
comes daily and frequently to those who long for him and he speaks tenderly to
our hearts like a lover who whispers in the ear of the beloved. He comes to
show us the way to our heavenly Father and to give us the hope of eternal life.
Do you recognize his presence and do you listen to his word?
"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."
 The Kingdom Is Near |
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November 28,
2014. Friday of the Thirty-fourth Week in Ordinary Time
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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."
Introductory
Prayer: Dear Jesus, I believe in
you and in the Kingdom you are building in and through me. I believe in the
value of my sacrifice and struggles united to yours. I hope to arrive to
heaven when you say it is time. I wish to spend myself for those I should
love the most.
Petition: Thy Kingdom come, both now and forever!
1. See for
Yourselves: In today’s Gospel,
Jesus is responding to the disciples’ anxious plea for a “when” and a “with
what warning” the end will come (Luke 21:7). He tells them some signs that
will precede the imminent fall of Jerusalem as well as the coming of the Son
of Man “on the clouds.” But these will all be very apparent, like the coming
of summer. So don’t be obsessed with figuring out the “when.” Focus on living
and knowing the Kingdom of God now. How easily we are distracted with all
that happens around us, yet how difficult it is to be aware of the Kingdom
and its demands in my heart and my relations to others in my life! What
efforts do I make to discover and to know the present demands of his Kingdom
in my life?
2. The Kingdom of
God Will Come: Jesus has used
many images to describe the Kingdom of God. Like the mustard seed, it is hard
to recognize at first. It begins small and grows slowly. But it will come,
and this must be our daily prayer of desire: “Thy Kingdom Come!” We must
resist a very real temptation. Almost unconsciously we want it to be a
worldly Kingdom that will come during our lifetime. We work and pray as
though we will soon arrive at our goals and rest from all our spiritual
labors. This leads us to get easily discouraged at our lack of progress in
prayer and virtue, no less than with the problems that surround us. No, we
must live with hope, pushing forward with growing confidence that the Lord
will bring his Kingdom to fulfillment, both in us and in the world – when the
time is right. Whose kingdom am I seeking?
3. My Words Will
Not Pass Away: Another temptation
in awaiting the Kingdom is to despair of the times of trial through which we
must pass. But in the words of St. Theresa of Jesus, “all things pass,” only
God remains. Nothing we suffer will remain as the Kingdom approaches. And yet
all these “trials” are the most valuable and powerful means to bring about
the Kingdom in our own souls and in the lives of others, especially in those
who wander. Use the tools of the Kingdom: Suffer trials with faith, and
respond with a love that gives them an eternal value. May we never lose a
moment in which to merit graces and to build the Kingdom that comes. In the
end, only what we have done for God and for our brothers and sisters remains.
Conversation with
Christ: Lord Jesus, give me a
greater faith and confidence that every cross and burden, no matter how trivial
or small, is a means to love. I want to build your Kingdom with you. Keep me
focused on the opportunities and demands of the present moment.
Resolution: I will make one small sacrifice at a meal today for
someone I wish I could help more.
By Father Edward
Hopkins, LC
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FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 28, LUKE 21:29-33
(Revelation 20:1-4, 11--21:2; Psalm 84)
(Revelation 20:1-4, 11--21:2; Psalm 84)
KEY VERSE: "Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away" (v 33).
READING: The prophet Jeremiah used the example of the budding almond tree, which he called the "watching tree" (the first tree to bloom in springtime), to predict the coming destruction of Jerusalem in his own time (Jer 1:11). Similarly, Jesus used the budding of the fig tree to illustrate the coming reign of God. Jesus told his disciples that the first signs of the kingdom's nearness would be witnessed by their own generation. This did not mean that the end of the world would come during the disciples' generation. That generation had already passed by the time Luke wrote his gospel. The statement probably meant that the first of the events leading to the end of the world was the fall of Jerusalem in 70 CE, which happened within that generation. Jesus emphasized the certainty and truth of his word. Heaven and earth might pass away, but his words would endure. Jesus is God's eternal Word.
REFLECTING: Do I listen to God's Word in my daily Scripture reading?
PRAYING: Lord Jesus, help me to trust in your promise of the coming of your kingdom.
Friday 28 November 2014
Day of penance.
Apocalypse 20:1-4, 11—21:2.
Here God lives among his people—Ps 83(84):3-6,
8. Luke 21:29-33.
Today’s readings are in
stark contrast to each other.
The first reading is full
of imagery and was written to give hope to the Christians of that time, to encourage
them at a time of persecution by the Romans: deliverance would come to them and
for Christians under any circumstances of trial and oppression. It contained a
promise of a glorious future. The heroic act of martyrdom was stressed.
The gospel story for today
is a parable couched in simple imagery. Jesus makes a fig tree the focus. He
tells his listeners, ‘as soon as you see them bud, you know that summer is now
near’.
Jesus told them and us when
we see these things happening in the seasons of our life to know that the
kingdom of God is near. Let us pray for the grace to always remember that the
kingdom of God is near for us.
MINUTE MEDITATIONS
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Have No Fear
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We all have fears, but we don’t have to be afraid. Jesus is always
with us to protect us and give us courage. We only have to remember that the
battle is the Lord’s. When Jesus gives us the victory, let’s be sure to thank
Him and praise Him for what He has done.
November
28
St. James of the Marche
(1394-1476)
St. James of the Marche
(1394-1476)
Meet one of the fathers of the modern pawnshop!
James was
born in the Marche of Ancona, in central Italy along the Adriatic Sea. After
earning doctorates in canon and civil law at the University of Perugia, he
joined the Friars Minor and began a very austere life. He fasted nine months of
the year; he slept three hours a night. St. Bernardine of Siena told him to
moderate his penances.
James
studied theology with St. John of Capistrano. Ordained in 1420, James began a
preaching career that took him all over Italy and through 13 Central and
Eastern European countries. This extremely popular preacher converted many
people (250,000 at one estimate) and helped spread devotion to the Holy Name of
Jesus. His sermons prompted numerous Catholics to reform their lives and many
men joined the Franciscans under his influence.
With John
of Capistrano, Albert of Sarteano and Bernardine of Siena, James is considered
one of the "four pillars" of the Observant movement among the
Franciscans. These friars became known especially for their preaching.
To combat
extremely high interest rates, James established montes pietatis(literally,
mountains of charity)--nonprofit credit organizations that lent money at very
low rates on pawned objects.
Not
everyone was happy with the work James did. Twice assassins lost their nerve
when they came face to face with him. James died in 1476 and was canonized in
1726.
Comment:
James wanted the word of God to take root in the hearts of his listeners. His preaching was directed to preparing the soil, so to speak, by removing any rocks and softening up lives hardened by sin. God’s intention is that his word take root in our lives, but for that we need both prayerful preachers and cooperative listeners.
James wanted the word of God to take root in the hearts of his listeners. His preaching was directed to preparing the soil, so to speak, by removing any rocks and softening up lives hardened by sin. God’s intention is that his word take root in our lives, but for that we need both prayerful preachers and cooperative listeners.
Quote:
"Beloved and most holy word of God! You enlighten the hearts of the faithful, you satisfy the hungry, console the afflicted; you make the souls of all productive of good and cause all virtues to blossom; you snatch souls from the devil’s jaw; you make the wretched holy, and men of earth citizens of heaven" (Sermon of St. James).
"Beloved and most holy word of God! You enlighten the hearts of the faithful, you satisfy the hungry, console the afflicted; you make the souls of all productive of good and cause all virtues to blossom; you snatch souls from the devil’s jaw; you make the wretched holy, and men of earth citizens of heaven" (Sermon of St. James).
LECTIO DIVINA:
LUKE 21,29-33
Lectio:
Friday, November 28, 2014
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.
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 21,29-33
Jesus told to his disciples a parable, 'Look at the fig tree and
indeed every tree. As soon as you see them bud, you can see for yourselves that
summer is now near. So with you when you see these things happening: know that
the kingdom of God is near.
In truth I tell you, before this generation has passed away all
will have taken place. Sky and earth will pass away, but my words will never
pass away.
3) Reflection
• The Gospel today presents the final recommendations of the
Apocalyptic Discourse. Jesus insists on two points: (a) on the attention which
should be given to the signs of the times (Lk 21, 29-31) and (b) on hope
founded on the firmness of the word of God which drives away fear to despair
(Lk 21, 32-33)..
• Luke 21, 29-31: Look at the fig tree and indeed every tree.
Jesus orders to look at nature: “Look at the fig tree and indeed every tree; as
soon as you see them bud, you can see for yourselves that summer is now near.
So with you when you see these things happening know that the kingdom of God is
near”. Jesus asks to contemplate the phenomena of nature to learn how to read
and interpret the things which are happening in the world. The buds or sprouts
on the fig tree are an evident sign that summer is near. In the same way when
the seven signs appear they are a proof that “the Kingdom of God is close at
hand!” To make this discernment is not easy. A person who is alone does not
become aware of this. By reflecting together in community, the light appears.
And the light is this: to experience in everything that happens the call not to
close ourselves in the present, but rather to keep the horizon open and to
perceive in everything that happens an arrow directed toward the future. But
nobody knows the exact hour of the coming of the Kingdom, nobody. In Mark’s
Gospel, Jesus says: “But as for that day or hour, nobody knows it, neither the
angels in heaven, nor the Son, no one but the Father!” (Mk 13, 32).
• Luke 21, 32-33: “In truth I tell you, before this generation
has passed away all will have taken place. Sky and earth will pass away, but my
words will never pass away.” This word of Jesus recalls the prophecy of Isaiah
which says: “All humanity is grass and all its beauty like the wild flowers.
The grass withers, the flower fades when the breath of Yahweh blows on them.
The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God remains for ever”.
(Is 40, 7-8). The word of Jesus is the source of our hope. What he says will
arrive!
• The coming of the Messiah and the end of the world. Today,
many people live worried concerning the end of the world. Some, basing
themselves on a mistaken and fundamentalist reading of the Apocalypse of John,
even arrive at calculating the exact date of the end of the world. In the past,
beginning at “one thousand years” quoted in the Apocalypse (Rv 20, 7), it was
usually repeated: “The year one thousand has gone by but the year two-thousand
will not pass!” And because of this, as the year two thousand approached, many
were worried. There were some people who anguished because of the coming of the
end of the world, committed suicide! But the year 2000 arrived and nothing
happened. The end of the world did not arrive! In the Christian communities of
the first centuries, they faced the same problems. They lived in the
expectation of the imminent coming of Jesus. Jesus was coming to carry out the
Final Judgment so as to finish with the unjust history of the world here on
earth and to inaugurate the new phase of history, the definitive phase of the
New Heavens and of the New Earth. They thought that this would take place
between one or two generations. Many people would still be alive when Jesus
would appear glorious in Heaven (1Th 4, 16-17; Mk 9, 1). There were some
persons who no longer worked, because they thought that the end would arrive
within a few days or weeks (2Th 2, 1-3; 3, 11). This is what they thought. But
even today, the coming of Jesus has not arrived as yet! How can this delay be
interpreted? On the streets of the cities people see writings on the walls
which say Jesus will return! Is he coming or not? And how will his coming be?
Many times, the affirmation “Jesus will return” is used to frighten persons and
to oblige them to go to a determinate church.
In the New Testament the return of Jesus is always a reason for
joy and peace! For those who are exploited and oppressed, the coming of Jesus
is Good News! When will this coming take place? Among the Jews, there were
various opinions. The Sadducees and the Herodians said: “The Messianic times
will come!” They thought that their well being during the government of Herod
was the expression of the Kingdom of God. And for this reason, they did not
accept any changes and they fought against the preaching of Jesus who invited
people to change and to convert themselves. The Pharisees said: “The coming of
the Kingdom will depend on our effort in observing the law!” The Essens said:
The promised Kingdom will arrive only when we will have purified the country
from all its impurity”. Among the Christians there was the same variety of
opinions. Some of the community of Thessalonica the Greeks, basing themselves
on Paul’s preaching, said: “Jesus will return!” (1 Th 4, 13-18; 2 Th 2, 2).
Paul responds that it was not that simple as they imagined. And to those who
did not work he said: “Anyone who does not work has no right to eat!” (2 Th 3,
10). Probably, it was a question of persons who at meal time they would go to
beg for food to the neighbour’s hose. Other Christians thought that Jesus would
return only after the Gospel had been announced to the whole world (Ac 1,
6-11). And they thought that, the greater their effort would be to evangelize,
the more rapidly would the end of the world arrive. Others, tired of waiting,
said: “He will never come back!” (2 P 3, 4). Others basing themselves on the
word of Jesus justly said: “He is already among us!” (Mt 25, 40).
The same thing happens today. There are people who say: “The way
things are in the Church and in society, it is alright”. They want no changes.
Others are waiting for the immediate coming of Jesus. Others think that Jesus
will return only through our work and announcement. For us, Jesus is already
among us (Mt 28, 20).He is already at our side in the struggle for justice, for
peace and for life. But the fullness has not as yet been attained. For this
reason, we wait with perseverance the liberation of humanity and of nature (Rm
8, 22-25).
4) Personal questions
• Jesus asks to look at the fig tree to contemplate the
phenomena of nature. In my life have I already learnt something contemplating
nature?
• Jesus says: “The sky and earth will pass, but my words will
not pass”. How do I embody in my life these words of Jesus?
5) Concluding prayer
Lord, how blessed are those who live in your house;
they shall praise you continually.
Blessed those who find their strength in you,
whose hearts are set on pilgrimage. (Ps 84,4-5)
they shall praise you continually.
Blessed those who find their strength in you,
whose hearts are set on pilgrimage. (Ps 84,4-5)
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