The Gospel of Luke, chapter 21:9

Year in year out, somebody takes on the task of naively reading the signs of the end-times for us. We have heard the prophets of doom, of Armageddon, of the end of the world who have predicted the destruction of our planet. But, our world still keeps turning and we keep churning along.

Today’s scripture offers an important insight about the end of the world. We do not know when it will be. We can expect apocalyptic events such as 9/11 and disastrous hurricanes. But these events do not mean that the end is in sight. We can expect to be set to by earth-shattering changes in our society. It comes with the territory. The fragmentation of the world around us calls for steadfast patience and faith, not panic. No need to draw our wagons in a circle and let the world fall apart. This reaction won’t wash. It is not based on scripture and it won’t help bring about God’s reign.

As Christians, we rest our case on our faith that the risen Lord is with us, active and effective. We must open our hearts and minds to the great work at hand, and “not be terrified.”

Sometimes we are inclined to think about the good old days. Our selective memory inclines to convince us that they existed. The gospel focuses on the good new days when Jesus’ message is active and effective, here and now, in our daily lives.

Let us be attentive to the signs of the times and try to make our community, our world, a better place to live in with God’s help. Do not be preoccupied about the end of the world which is beyond your grasp. Focus on the present and how you can make it better. Tomorrow can take it care of itself, and today has enough problems of its own.

Fr. Hugh Duffy