Friday of 32nd Week, Year II: reflection

THEME: BE EVER READY FOR THE LAST DAY

Readings: Lk 17:26–37

In today’s gospel reading, Our Lord Jesus harped on the surprises and the suddenness of the Last Day, which must surely come to us.

While some people are still waiting to hear the sound of the trumpet indicating the arrival of the End, this End has continued to come to many people with the surprises and the suddenness that Jesus talked about.

Many people have met this End while on the road either driving or walking; some have met it while fighting; some have met it while sleeping; some met it after a brief or serious sickness at home or in the hospital; some met it in many other places or circumstances they never imagined. In all, everyone knows it comes unannounced.

Since this End is coming unannounced and has met many people according to its foretold surprises and suddenness, what, then, should we do?

Jesus urges us to be vigilant so that we would not be taken unawares; he wants us to be ever ready to embrace it any day and anywhere it comes to us.

To those who are waiting for the dying minute to start their preparations, it is good to be reminded that it has come to many people without any announcement; to those who are waiting to hear the sound of the trumpet to start amending their lives, it is good to be reminded that the trumpet has been sounding in the individual lives of many people at different occasions and locations of our world every day.

Dear friends, let us be ready; many people who were with us have been taken as foretold in today’s gospel.

Peace be with you. May God bless your good efforts today.

Fr. Isaac Chima