Todays Holy Gospel : ( November 17, 2013 / Sunday ) Luke 21:5-19 While some people were speaking about how the temple was adorned with costly stones and votive offerings, Jesus said, All that you see here--the days will come when there will not be left a stone upon another stone that will not be thrown down. Then they asked him, Teacher, when will this happen? And what sign will there be when all these things are about to happen? He answered, See that you not be deceived, for many will come in my name, saying, I am he, and The time has come. Do not follow them! When you hear of wars and insurrections, do not be terrified; for such things must happen first, but it will not immediately be the end. Then he said to them, Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be powerful earthquakes, famines, and plagues from place to place; and awesome sights and mighty signs will come from the sky. Before all this happens, however, they will seize and persecute you, they will hand you over to the synagogues and to prisons, and they will have you led before kings and governors because of my name. It will lead to your giving testimony. Remember, you are not to prepare your defense beforehand, for I myself shall give you a wisdom in speaking that all your adversaries will be powerless to resist or refute. You will even be handed over by parents, brothers, relatives, and friends, and they will put some of you to death. You will be hated by all because of my name, but not a hair on your head will be destroyed. By your perseverance you will secure your lives. Reflection: I must give thanks to my God continuously. He has helped me to keep my faith through difficult times, so that I can fearlessly offer myself as a kind of living sacrifice to Christ. The Lord has rescued me from so many dangers that sometimes I just have to ask: God, who am I?... “From where did I get such wisdom?” It certainly wasnt from inside myself. “I didnt know my future,” and I had no great knowledge of God. And later on, who was it who gave me such a wonderful and life-giving gift, the gift to know and love God? But to receive such things, I had to leave behind my home and family... I came to Ireland to preach the good news and to suffer abuse from unbelievers and... to have my mission shamefully criticized. I have had many hard times, even to the point of being enslaved again, but I traded in my free birth for the good of others. If I am worthy, I am even ready to lay down my life willingly and without hesitation for his name. Here, in Ireland, is where I wish to live out my final days, if God will permit me. I owe so much to God, who allowed so many people to find a new life in him through me. I confirmed them in our faith and ordained clergy for them everywhere, for a people just coming to a belief in God. The master chose them from the ends of the earth, just as he said he would through the prophets: “The gentiles will come to you from the ends of the earth” and...: I will place you like a lamp among the nations so that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.” ( Biblical references : Ps 94[93],9; Rm 12,1; 2S 7,18; Mt 13,54; Ps 38[35],5; 2Tm 2,9; Lk 1,70; Jr 16,19; Is 49,6; Acts 13,47)
Posted on: Sat, 16 Nov 2013 23:21:57 +0000
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