Birds are generally nice to look at. Whether they are flying or perched on a branch, most birds look beautiful. Except one species – the vulture. These scavengers, with their scruffy, hunched appearance and their diet of decay, seem to embody darkness and death. Vultures don’t hunt; they gather where there is death.
Necessity of Vigilance
In today’s Gospel, Jesus refers to vultures to provide a striking image for His followers, saying: “Where the body is, there too the vultures gather.” Here, Jesus warns about the end times, symbolizing the inevitable consequence of unrepented sin and the necessity of vigilance. Just as vultures gather over decay, so too does judgement await those who persist in sin without repentance.
Looming Vultures
The presence of vultures serves as a reminder that spiritual decay is a reality. And if we don’t repent, we are like the dead left to be consumed by the vultures of God’s judgement. Yet, this warning is not meant to frighten us. It is a call to readiness – to fly towards God with wings powered by love and good deeds, to live in constant vigilance and preparedness as we journey toward eternity. This is the hallmark of a true disciple. We cannot live like those who “ate and drank, they bought and sold, planted and built,” without any awareness of the spiritual journey that awaits us. We must remain awake, aware, and attuned to God’s call.
Illusion of Self-sufficiency
Our modern world presents unique challenges to this call. Secularism, comfort, and the ever-increasing availability of goods and services can create an illusion of self-sufficiency. We are lured into thinking we do not need God in our lives – that we have everything under control. Yet, it often takes tragedy or hardship to shake us awake, to remind us of God’s presence in our “vale of tears.” In these moments, painful though they may be, we can find grace and a strengthened faith, drawing closer to God who is our ultimate source of strength and hope.
Being Secure in Christ
Jesus speaks of future days of “great distress,” not to dampen our joy but to strengthen our confidence in Him. This prophetic vision is not one of fear but of trust. The security Christ offers cannot be shaken by life’s storms. We may build walls of self-protection, lay plans for retirement, and safeguard our health, but all these are susceptible to collapse. Only our trust in Christ’s promise remains unbreakable, and this is the foundation of true security.
The Word Never Falters
In the end, Jesus reminds us, “Heaven and earth may pass away, but My words will never pass.” This is His ultimate promise, His invitation to a life of unwavering trust in Him. Though life may bring distress, His words remain our anchor, our refuge, and our strength.
- Father David's inspirational homily was recorded live during Mass at the Father Peyton Center this morning. You can view the Mass (and the Rosary at the 30-minute mark) on the Family Rosary YouTube page.
- To join the Rosary and Mass Livestream, visit the Family Rosary YouTube or Facebook page at 11:30 a.m. Eastern, Monday – Friday. Consider inviting others to join too! (*If you are not a member of Facebook and a signup window appears, simply select the X at the top of the pop-up message and continue to the livestream.)
