Dear Parishioners and Friends,

In the month when we remember our departed, reflect and ask yourself this question: How do you imagine your future, not only in the immediate sense, but after your death as well?

Today’s Sunday reading invites us to think about the truths of the final things: on death, judgment, heaven, purgatory and hell. The liturgy speaks to us of “the Lord’s day”, when Christ will return in glory to judge the living and the dead.” Judgment is held for each person at the end of his earthly pilgrimage. Is it for us to die, in a sense, to experience the end of the world? Because we, at all costs want to save our lives.

A lot of questions remain, especially concerning prophecies. For us Christians, we have the good fortune and providence of having someone whom to ask. We have our sacred texts and prophecies, announcing this future, which we fear in spite of everything. This is how the readings introduce us to the words within them, which are prophesying what awaits us, as we proceed, what to avoid, how to prepare for these situations.

The book of the prophet Malachi, in its admittedly short, but direct text, warns us against pride and harming others in these meditations. It talks about this in concise, but oh-so-eloquent words. It shows two elements-fire and light-that links directly to the announcement of the Judgment at the end of the world. The only protection for us, His followers, is to love God and worship Him.

Saint Paul, rebuking the Thessalonians, and us at the same time, encourages us to work, delegate work, and considers unacceptable any maligning or attributing someone else’s work to one’s self: “therefore, we remind and command you in the Lord Jesus Christ, to work in peace, and eat your own bread.” (2 Thessalonians 3,12).

The Gospel is the answer to the problems and questions that plague us all through life. But the words of Jesus dispel all doubts about what, how and when it will be, and at the same time explain how we must proceed, what to watch out for. To His believers, Christ gives the promise: “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. ” (Luke 21:14-15)

Each of us will meet our ends which we prepared for during our  lives; our conduct, our fidelity to Christ, in spite of life’s various storms.

Jesus Christ, let us understand Your every word, every parable, all Your learning, that it would bring us constantly to You and help us await Your second coming to Earth with trust and confidence . God Bless You All!