Reflection for Saturday 34th Week in Ordinary Time 

By


Fr. Aloysius Santiago sdb
Rector and Parish Priest
Don Bosco Shrine
Lingarajapuram, Bangalore

Today's WORD  

Luke 21:35 - 36

 For it will come on all those who live on the face of the whole earth. Be always on the watch, and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen, and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man.” 

Today's Reflection 

Hope Amid Darkness

This Last Mass of the CHURCH'S Year Mingles Practical Realism with High Hopes. Dense Clouds can be Viewed from Opposite Sides; from Below They Threaten Thunder & Lightning, but from Above They Radiate Reflected Sunlight & are Symbols of Peace.  Whether in Darkness or Light, We are Not Alone but are Joined to All GOD'S People, in the Communion of Saints.

Daniel the Prophet was Terrified by Visions in the Night. Persecution Raged & the Beast who Ravaged the Holy Ones was Victorious Until the Ancient One Arrived. We Cannot Explain the Symbolism of many Numbers in This Literature, but the Bible Says We must Persevere as Long as the Trial Lasts, & that This Time will Certainly End. Only then will We Properly Understand GOD'S Ways, & for Now many Details Remain Wrapped in Darkness.

Luke Warns Us to be on Guard against Indulgence, Drunkenness & Worldly Cares, or the Final Day will Come suddenly like a Trap. Our Faith Thrives more during Hardship than in Prosperity. So Luke also Advises, “Pray Constantly,” 2b Ready for CHRIST when HE Comes in Glory.

The 34 Weeks of Ordinary Time are Ending. They Do so with an Message that JESUS will Come Suddenly, Soon & Gloriously. We have been Gifted with the Scriptures of the CHURCH Year. We will now be Further Graced with 4 Weeks of Advent Alertness. Since in Our Life’s Pilgrimage We are Surrounded by the Grace of GOD, We can Reach the Glorious destiny JESUS has Won for Us.


Come LORD JESUS

“Be on Guard” Says JESUS. We are Meant to Watch, Attentive to the LORD Within & Around Us. Such Attentiveness is at the heart of Prayer. “Stay Awake, Praying at All Times.” 

But how can We Pray at All Times? 

Is Prayer Not Something We Do from Time to Time? 

Paul Says Something Similar at the End of His 1st Letter to the Thessalonians when He Urges Them to ’Pray Without Ceasing.”

We are Invited to a Contemplative Stance towards Life, a Prayerful Attentiveness to GOD in the Midst of Our Busy Lives. To Help Us Do This, We could Take a Phrase from the Scriptures & let Echo Quietly in Our Hearts. One Example Might be, “LORD, Make Haste to Help Me,” or, the Simple Advent Prayer, “Come LORD JESUS.” 

Good Morning 

GOD Bless Us

Happy weekend