THE WORD BECAME FLESH

Friday of 32^nd week in Ordinary time, 2021

Wis13:1-9

Ps19

Luke 17:26-37

St Josaphat, Bishop, Martyr

As in the days of Noah

Dear friends in Christ, a lot of people treat issues of their faith as something optional. They fail to show the seriousness a belief in life after death demands. Some are just too concerned about the here and now that they have little or no time for spiritual matters. 

In our first reading today, we are led by the author to look beyond what we see to the creator of all things and the author of life. Some are not able to see beyond the beauty of creation and have chosen to worship just one creature over and above the creator of all. Some have in their search completely deny that there could be a creator of all things and so claim that everything came about by chance, mere coincidence. The writer says, “All men who were ignorant of God were foolish by nature, and they were unable from the good things that are seen to know him who exists, nor did they recognise the craftsman while paying heed to his works…for if they had the power to know so much that they could investigate the world, how did they fail to find sooner the Lord of these things.” True wisdom leads one to recognise the existence and omnipotence of God who is our creator, sustains us and to whom we shall return to give an account of our lives.

The gospel (Luke 17:26-37) compares the arrival of the Son of Man with two events in the Old Testament—the days of Noah and the days of Lot. Those who lived in these times, gave no heed to the warnings, concerning the destruction that was to come. That destruction came with devastating consequences. In spite of the warnings, “They ate, they drank, they married, they were given in marriage…they bought, they sold, they planted, they built,” until the flood came in the time of Noah and till the fire and brimstone rained down upon them in the time of Lot. Jesus warns the disciples to be on their guard, to listen and do what is right; to avoid a disastrous ending or unprovided death. Have we changed from what people were, in the time of Lot and Noah? How often are people very slow at heeding the warnings of God and changing their lives. How many will postpone their day of conversion, their turning point till it is too late? Could the end time still get you by surprise, more than two thousand years after Jesus warned?

Let us pray: Lord, give us the grace never to take your mercy for granted. Help us to see your patience as an opportunity to be saved. Amen. 

+Remain blessed