November 15, 2009: 33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time

All will be well if we put our trust in God, while living wisely and justly.

“Learn a lesson from the fig tree. When its branch becomes tender and sprouts leaves, you know that summer is near. In the same way, when you see things happening, know that he is near, at the gates…. But of that day or hour, no one knows, neither the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.” (Mark 13:28-29, 32)

Every now and then there are predictions about the end of the world. When some people hear the world is about to end, they become very fearful. Jesus makes it clear in today’s gospel that no one but God knows when the end will be. But, in a previous passage he says that when you see certain events you will know the end is near. So what are we to think? Perhaps the best news is found in another Scripture passage for today from the Book of the prophet Daniel: the wise shall shine brightly like the splendor of the firmament, and those who lead the many to justice shall be like the stars forever. Daniel 12:3

Action:

It should not matter to us when the world will end. We are assured that God loves us very much. All will be well if we put our trust in God, while living wisely and justly. Let’s also remember Saint Mother Theodore Guerin’s words about what we must do to become saints, “Nothing extraordinary, nothing more than we do every day; only do it all purely for God’s love.” If we follow her good advice, we can be sure we will live with God forever in heaven.