Preparing Hearts for the Coming of the Lord

11-16-2025Weekly ReflectionFr. Albert

As we come to the end of the liturgical year, which happens next weekend with the celebration of Christ the King, we always have a Gospel passage which talks about the end times. When we look at the end times in the context of our faith, we are reminded that it is the closing of one age and the beginning of another age.

From Luke's Gospel today, we hear a description of the destruction of the Temple and the signs of the persecutions to come. Each of the four Gospel writers have a prophecy and description of the end times to come, when a new age will dawn. Luke tells us that we should not be terrified of this time to come, that for believers, the coming end times and the time of destruction will be a time of opportunity for believers to bear testimony and witness. This is a good reminder for us as modern believers in Christ, for in the times we live in today, we have the opportunity to bear witness.

This is our time to bear witness to our Catholic faith, Jesus tells us in the Gospel that God will give us the words of witness that our adversaries will not be able to refute. God will give us the words to speak, those of us who are a part of the body of Christ in the Church. As the world changes, our testimony as Christians is of vital importance. we must manifest Christ's glory, his ministry and his life in our own words and actions.

In our first reading, we hear from Malachi, who is seen as the last prophet in the Old Testament. Malachi prophesied the coming of a Messiah and his forerunner, who would later be identified as John the Baptist in the New Testament. Malachi states in Today's reading: '' For the day is coming now, burning like a furnace, and all the arrogant and the evil-doers will be like stubble. The day that is coming is going to burn them up.. But for you who fear my name, the sun of righteousness will shine out with healing in its rays..".

St. Paul offers practical wisdom in today's second reading. Be faithful in the ordinary tasks of life. work honestly. honor your commitments. stay steady in small things. Jesus also tells us the same; don't panic, don't give up. Remember who you are. Remember what matters. The Gospel never promises that if we follow Christ we will be spared from suffering. it does promise that if we stay faithful, we will not be lost. we will remain centered, even when everything else collapses.

In a couple of weeks, we will celebrate Thanksgiving, a time when we as a nation and when we as Christians can show our thanks and gratitude in different ways. In a couple of weeks, we will begin the Holy season of Advent, our time of preparation for the coming of the Lord, as he will come both in the end times and as a baby in the manger in Bethlehem. May we see the Holy season of Advent not only as a time of preparation, but also an opportunity for witness and testimony.