The readings today might seem unsettling, speaking of a harvest of judgment and troubling times. How many of us have stayed up late worrying about our children's future? About whether they'll be safe, happy, and find their way in a world that seems so uncertain? It’s natural to feel a sense of unease, as people throughout history have when faced with uncertainties about the future. Remember the anxieties surrounding Y2K? Or the predictions of Nostradamus? Even today, with concerns about climate change and global unrest, those fears can creep into our hearts.
But the Gospel does not call us to live in fear. Instead, it invites us to live with watchful anticipation and active hope.
Reason for Hope
The Book of Revelation speaks of a harvest, a powerful reminder that our choices have consequences and that there will be a day of reckoning. Yet it also reassures us of God’s justice. Those who remain faithful will be gathered into His loving embrace, like wheat brought safely into the barn.
In today’s Gospel from Luke, Jesus acknowledges the reality of wars, earthquakes, and other upheavals that can unsettle us. But He tells us, “Do not be terrified.” These are birth pangs—signs of a new creation struggling to be born.
Jesus came to bring salvation to the world. He is with us now—in our prayer, in the Eucharist, and in one another. And He will come again in glory. So, how do we live in light of this truth?
Putting Hope in Action
We live with watchfulness, staying attentive to the needs of the world and the promptings of the Holy Spirit. We live with faithfulness, putting our faith into action, especially when it’s difficult. And we live with hope, trusting that God’s love will ultimately triumph over all evil.
Today, I encourage each of us to commit to one act of peacemaking. Perhaps it’s reconciling with a family member, extending forgiveness where there’s hurt, or speaking out against injustice. Let’s also strive to recognize Christ in the faces of the poor and marginalized, offering them our compassion and support. And finally, let us deepen our prayer life, seeking God’s guidance and strength to remain faithful in these challenging times.
My dear friends, the end will come, but we need not fear. Christ is with us—now and always. Let us live each day in the light of His love, ready to meet Him whenever He calls.
- Father Boby'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.
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