Tag: End Times

• Mark 13:3-8: Such Things

  
  

  Monday, May 10, 2021

  Mark 13:3-8

  Such Things

  See that no one deceives you. Many will come in my name saying, “I am he,” and they will deceive many. When you hear of wars and reports of wars, do not be alarmed; such things must happen but it will not be the end.

  We live in a world in which information flies around the globe more quickly than we can take it in. Some of us are overwhelmed. Some of us become desensitized. Some of us try to find a place for our fear and an appropriate reaction.  Some of us hide and try to protect ourselves in the monuments to our fear and control that we build for ourselves and loved ones. Some of us take in this news and try to balance our caution with our love.

  God says: It is impossible to sort out all the conflict that surges around you locally and globally. This information is fearsome but do not let it drive you further from me. I am not in the event. I am in you. I am not in the dreadfulness. I am in the caring hands and feet and hearts that tend to the wounded. When such things happen that frighten you, remember that I watch over you just as I watched over the Hebrews when I guided and protected them as the pillar of smoke and fire. You are as precious to me now as were the Hebrews then. Live out my love as you address the wars and reports of wars but do not be alarmed. Such things happen but it is not the end.

  Let us consider how we might preach the good news Jesus speaks to us today in these words recorded by Mark.  We may want to visit an “End Times” web site and applying God’s words about such things.  (A typical site can be found at http://www.signs-of-end-times.com/.) Think about the presentation of such information, and reflect on how we react, why we react, and how we might live out the Gospel words we read today.

  Tomorrow, the coming persecution.

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  To learn about the history of clocks and timekeeping, click on the image or visit: https://interestingengineering.com/the-very-long-and-fascinating-history-of-clocks

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  May 10, 2021

  End Times, fear, love, pillar of smoke and fire, war

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• 2 Thessalonians 3: Steadfastness

  
  

  Fifth Sunday of Easter, May 10, 2020

  2 Thessalonians 3

  Steadfastness

  We continue to remain in the Risen Christ as we shelter in place to meet the threat of a pandemic virus. Some may feel that we live in”end times.” Others believe that the stress caused by a world-wide virus calls us to work with one another, persisting through strife rather than crumbling beneath it.

  In waiting for “the end times”, some early Christians decide to abandon their work and devote themselves to keeping up with gossip; they do not make their own living but live from the toil of others.  Paul speaks directly to those who place the burden of living on their community, and he is clear in his thinking.  He urges personal responsibility, faith in God, and imitating the steadfastness of Christ.  It is this unswerving following that prepares us for the life we are called to live . . . a life in Christ.

  From today’s MAGNIFICAT Meditation by Fr. Henri-Dominique Lacordaire, the founder of the Order of Preachers in France after their revolution: All holy souls – all souls, that is to say, which are enlightened by truth and guided by charity, are in communion.  Even here below, without knowing it, they are linked to one another, they are members of a society of which God is the center, the life, the light, the beauty, and the bliss.  They help one another by their prayers and good works; they suffer for one another’s sake; they are like the stones of which a church is built, which are hidden from one another, yet support one another from the foundation to the roof . . . Our meetings on earth are by comparison mere vain and fruitless advances.

  God creates us and wants us to know that we are God’s children, connected to one another and to God by the bond of Christ.  We are to love one another, especially our enemies, as best we can . . . but we are to love.

  Christ walks among us to show us that we are important to him and to one another, even though we may not hear, see or feel this importance.   We are to do for one another as best we can . . . but we are to act.

  St. Paul reminds the Thessalonians – and us – that we ought not take advantage of others in this bond that we share with one other.  We are to give as best we can, according to the blessings and gifts God bestows on us . . . but we are to give.

  Fr. Lacordaire reminds us that there are invisible bonds that hold us together.  We are to remember these bonds and work with them rather than against them. We are to persist in our journey toward truth and light and even though we do not see the end of the journey, even though we do not care to be with some of our fellow travelers, we are to persist and remain steadfast . . . otherwise, our meetings on earth may be mere vain and fruitless advances.

  Paul calls us to steadfastness and persistence in Christ.  Christ walks among us to reveal the Father’s promise and the Spirit’s abiding presence.  Through our diligence in following Christ, our fidelity to God’s vision, and our love in the Spirit, we hone our skill at being steadfast.  We increase our stamina and nurture our persistence.  All of these are gifts honestly earned and freely bestowed.  They are the blossoming fruit of discipleship.

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  Cameron, Peter John. “Meditation of the Day.” MAGNIFICAT. 2.11 (2010). Print.  

  Image from: http://s449.photobucket.com/user/conniecriqui/media/2Thess3Proof.jpg.html

  Adapted from the November 2, 2010 Noontime.

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  May 10, 2020

  community, connection, End Times, Fr. Lacordaire, journey, persistence

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