The Word

December 2, Sunday Jer 33,14-16 / 1 Thes 3,12-4,2 / Lk 21,25-28.34-36

Jesus said to his disciples, “There will be signs in the sun, the moon, and the stars, and on earth nations will be in dismay, perplexed by the roaring of the sea and the waves. People will die of fright in anticipation of what is coming upon the world, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. And then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. But when these signs begin to happen, stand erect and raise your heads because your redemption is at hand.

“Beware that your hearts do not become drowsy from carousing and drunkenness and the anxieties of daily life, and that day catch you by surprise like a trap. For that day will assault everyone who lives on the face of the earth. Be vigilant at all times and pray that you have the strength to escape the tribulations that are imminent and to stand before the Son of Man.”

In Othe Words

Kuya Buboy, a good friend in the parish explained to me how important the compass is to a fisherman like him. He told me that whatever may happen, whether big waves or darkness deprive one from seeing the shore, one can always get home if he has set the direction towards home and keeps focusing on it ‘til the end.

The world is said to turn towards its end. Various prophecies abound on how the world will end, and some others even attempt to fix an exact date for the earth’s last breath. Looking at the world today, you must be made up of stone not to get affected by the reports and pictures of devastation due to earthquakes, tsunamis, wars and violence and how they ominously correspond to the biblical images of the end-times.

Interestingly, there are two kinds of reaction mentioned in the Gospel. One group will be scared to death while another batch will stand erect and raise their heads. What differentiates the two groups? The former anticipates their destruction while the latter anticipates their redemption. It is wise to take this preview seriously because this will strongly define our very own reaction when we come to our end.

In my conversations with some old people in my parish, I notice that all of them believe that they are nearing their ends but they differ in their anticipation. Some are so comfortable telling me that the Lord can take them anytime while some panic at the thought of seeing Him face to face anytime

soon. Even now, there seems to be “rehearsals” going on for the “final concert”. The confidence may come from the conviction that even if all hell breaks loose, no one can separate us from God. All powers of death and destruction may sweep us all away, still we remain in the Lord, as He promised. Kuya Buboy knows the importance of his compass. May we also know that our redemption is in Him!

– Fr. Ferdie Bajao, SVD (Palawan)