Tuesday of the Thirty-fourth Week in
Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 504
Lectionary: 504
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.
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
PsalmPS 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.
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.
AlleluiaRV 2:10C
R. Alleluia,
alleluia.
Remain faithful until death,
and I will give you the crown of life.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Remain faithful until death,
and I will give you the crown of life.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
GospelLK 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."
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."
Meditation: "Take heed that you are not led astray"
How would you respond if someone prophesied that your
home, land, or place of worship would be destroyed? Jesus foretold many signs
that would shake peoples and nations. The signs which God uses are meant to
point us to a higher spiritual truth and reality of his kingdom which does not
perish or fade away, but endures for all eternity. God works through many
events and signs to purify and renew us in hope and to help us set our hearts
more firmly on him and him alone.
First signs of the end times
To the great consternation of the Jews, Jesus prophesied the destruction of their great 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 pray for God's intervention of grace and mercy.
To the great consternation of the Jews, Jesus prophesied the destruction of their great 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 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 brought to light (Luke
12:2-3; Romans 2:16).
Jesus foretells the destruction of the Temple at
Jerusalem
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?
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?
We need to recognize the signs of God's judgment,
mercy, and grace to save us
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 day of final judgment.
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 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 trials and difficulties. Help me to seek your kingdom first and to
reject whatever would hinder me from pursuing your way of peace, righteousness,
and holiness. Fill me with the joy and hope of your everlasting kingdom."
Daily Quote from the early church fathers: First signs of the end times, by Maximus
of Turin (died between 408-423 AD)
"Perhaps you are anxious, brothers and sisters,
at the fact that we hear constantly of the tumult of wars and the onsets of
battles. Perhaps your love is still more anxious since these are taking place
in our times. The reason is the closer we are to the destruction of the world,
the closer we are to the kingdom of the Savior. The Lord himself says, 'In the
last days nation will rise against nation and kingdom against kingdom. When you
see wars, earthquakes and famines, know that the kingdom of God is at
hand.'This nearness of wars shows us that Christ is near." (excerpt from SERMON 85.1)
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 27, LUKE 21:5-11
Weekday
(Revelation 14:14-19; Psalm 96)
Weekday
(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).
TO KNOW: 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 the Jews believed that as long as it stood they were secure. Like the prophet 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 told his disciples that they must not be misled by 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.
TO LOVE: Do I stand firm in faith despite the world's upheavals?
TO SERVE: Lord Jesus, give me confidence in God's plan in these stress-filled times.
Tuesday 27
November 2018
Apocalypse 14:14-19. Psalm 95(96):10-13. Luke 21:5-11.
The Lord comes to judge the earth – Psalm 95(96):10-13.
‘Harvest time has come and the harvest of the earth is ripe.’
We have a God of fairness – God judges the heart.
God will look for faithfulness and care for the poor and
marginalised, for visitations to the sick, the housebound or the imprisoned.
How well have we listened to the voiceless, the bereaved or the mentally ill in
their confusion? These are the poor little ones of Jesus, for whom he came to
bring the good news.
We are called to continue God’s mission and it is on this we
will be judged. By keeping in contact with God in prayer, we may hear where we
are being called to serve.
Saint Francesco Antonio Fasani
Saint of the Day for November 27
(August 6, 1681 – November 29, 1742)
 |
| Man of Prayer | Lawrence OP | flickr |
Saint Francesco Antonio Fasani’s Story
Born in Lucera, 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 minister.
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 word 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 crying
out, “The saint is dead! The saint is dead!” Francesco was canonized in 1986.
Reflection
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.
LECTIO DIVINA: LUKE 21:5-11
Lectio Divina:
Tuesday, November 27, 2018
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 21:5-11
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, 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 it will not immediately be the end.” 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.”
And they put to Him this question, “Master,” they said, “when will this happen, 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 it will not immediately be the end.” 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 liturgical year. For us of the XXI century, the apocalyptic language is
strange and confusing. 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 was to animate the faith and hope of the poor and
oppressed. The apocalyptic language is the fruit of the witness of faith by
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 leading up to the Apocalyptic Discourse, Jesus had broken away from the temple (Lk 19, 45-48), the priests and the elders (Lk 20,1-26), the Sadducees (Lk 20, 27-40), and from the scribes who exploited the widows (Lk 20, 41-47). Finally, as we read 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, “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 from the disciples on when and how the destruction of the temple will take place. The Gospel of Mark tells us the following about the context of this discourse which Jesus pronounces. 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 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).
• 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 change and confusion there are always people who want to take advantage of the situation and deceive others. This happens today and it happened in the time of the 80’s, at the time when Luke wrote his Gospel. Many thought that the end of time was close at hand with the disasters and wars of those years, and the destruction of Jerusalem in the year 70 and the persecution of Christians by the Roman Empire. 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 better discern the signs of the times. They should not be deceived by the conversations of people concerning the end of the world: "Take care not to be deceived”. The discourse offers signs to help them discern and increases their hope.
• Luke 21, 9-11: Signs to help them read the facts. After this brief introduction, the discourse begins: “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 one has to understand that 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 to everyone. 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, this 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). Thus, by means of these signs within the Apocalyptic Discourse, the communities of the 80’s, the time when Luke wrote his Gospel, could see God’s plan and discover that history had not escaped the hands of God. Everything happened according to what was foretold and announced by Jesus in the Apocalyptic Discourse.
• Luke 21, 5-7: Introduction to the Apocalyptic Discourse. In the days leading up to the Apocalyptic Discourse, Jesus had broken away from the temple (Lk 19, 45-48), the priests and the elders (Lk 20,1-26), the Sadducees (Lk 20, 27-40), and from the scribes who exploited the widows (Lk 20, 41-47). Finally, as we read 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, “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 from the disciples on when and how the destruction of the temple will take place. The Gospel of Mark tells us the following about the context of this discourse which Jesus pronounces. 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 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).
• 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 change and confusion there are always people who want to take advantage of the situation and deceive others. This happens today and it happened in the time of the 80’s, at the time when Luke wrote his Gospel. Many thought that the end of time was close at hand with the disasters and wars of those years, and the destruction of Jerusalem in the year 70 and the persecution of Christians by the Roman Empire. 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 better discern the signs of the times. They should not be deceived by the conversations of people concerning the end of the world: "Take care not to be deceived”. The discourse offers signs to help them discern and increases their hope.
• Luke 21, 9-11: Signs to help them read the facts. After this brief introduction, the discourse begins: “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 one has to understand that 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 to everyone. 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, this 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). Thus, by means of these signs within the Apocalyptic Discourse, the communities of the 80’s, the time when Luke wrote his Gospel, could see God’s plan and discover that history had not escaped 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?
• 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)
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)
Không có nhận xét nào:
Đăng nhận xét