Be Ready, Don’t Worry Or Get Discouraged - Place Your Hope In Jesus - Family Reflection Video

It’s funny how hearing the Word of God at certain times can cause you to think of different things, things that could appear disconnected, but somehow our minds make associations. Today’s first reading reminded me of a 17-year-old me asking my neighbor over the backyard fence what it felt like to turn 40…back then, 40 was old!

Without missing a beat, Bob said, well, Dave, basically you realize that physically all your warrantees have expired!

Today’s gospel teaching from Jesus caused me to recall a pop song from 1987 called “It’s the end of the world as we know it.” The singer sings the lyrics so rapidly I never unlocked the meaning with precision, but I did get the idea that though things can be troubling with change and major world events, it’s not really the end of the world.

I believe that whether we are considering our mortality, our worn joints, tricky hearts, or other systems, they are a reminder that our life on earth is limited and one that involves attention and maintenance. It’s worth remembering that, like our cars, God didn’t make us to last forever on earth. However, that doesn’t mean we should lose hope or stop taking care of ourselves, quite the opposite. We have hope because we believe that Jesus is our way to eternal life in heaven and that after his Second Coming, we can receive a glorified body to be united with our soul; and that body and soul’s warranty will never expire.

But in the meantime, in addition to looking after our physical health, we need to be able to look after our spiritual health. Listening to Jesus in the gospel, He warns us about being caught up in people who are convinced that they know the end is near or that Jesus is appearing at the Braintree Mall or somewhere near you.

We know from reading history and what we’ve seen in our lives that plenty of wars, health, moral, and natural crises have taken place that didn’t signal Jesus’ second Coming. It doesn’t mean that we’re not going through a tumultuous time, a time where people are fearful and discouraged.

What it means is that these struggles remind us of our need for God and our Church. They can be a catalyst to invite people to come to know Jesus as our Lord and Savior. It can be a time when we make time to talk and pray as a family, just like our ancestors did in their times of trial and good times. It can be a moment of grace to grow more deeply committed to sharing our faith to the point where we feel strong enough to invite others to pray with and help people who are in need; to join us in our parishes and chapels to hear the Word of God, and to receive the Eucharist and the healing of Confession, and so much more.

The musician who wrote the song “It’s the end of the world” said he wrote it to help people to realize that although there are tough times, there is reason for hope. My brothers and sisters, if a song can have that effect, how much more can our drawing close to Jesus with our families and friends, and even those He’ll bring into our lives that we don’t yet know.

May God bless you and your families this holy day!

• Father David's inspirational homily was recorded live this morning during Mass at the Father Peyton Center. Please view the video on our Facebook page. (You don't need a Facebook account to view.) 

• To view Rosary prayer and Mass streaming live, please visit our Facebook page at 11:30 am EST, Monday – Friday. Please invite your loved ones to join us too! (You don't need a Facebook account to view.)