The Catholic Calendar for Friday, November 26, 2004
Friday of the Thirty-fourth Week in Ordinary Time

Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
Revelation 20:1-4,11--21;2
Psalm 84:3-6,8
Luke 21:29-33

A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:

The scene in the first reading from the Book of Revelation is awesome! It presumes a time of grace and action, when all who follow the Lamb must work to evangelize the world. It is the common mission for all the baptized whose names are written in the Book of Life. The culmination is the Final Judgment when all must have not only faith, but deeds.

If there are no deeds, then Christ is helpless to save us. Those who are in the Book of Life will enjoy an eternity in the new Heavenly Jerusalem, which is a combination of the heavenly and the earthly city. Those whose names have been erased from the Book of Life, will be cast into the pool of fire, condemned for all eternity.

Today, we must think of the precious gift of time which is still ours. Now is the time for prayer, faith, hope, and deeds of loving service. Am I ready to renew my commitment to the wounded Lamb? Am I willing to grieve with Him for the sins of indifference, ignorance, hostility, and lethargy?

If we do, and if we are faithful, then we will hear the words that still echo from last Sunday's Gospel, with Christ's promise that today, we will be with Him in Paradise.

- Msgr. Paul E. Whitmore
(smartins at twcny dot rr dot com)

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posted by joachim at 5:32 AM