A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke (Lk 17:26-37)
“Whoever seeks to preserve his life will lose it, but whoever loses it will save it. I tell you, on that night there will be two people in one bed; one will be taken, the other left. And there will be two women grinding meal together; one will be taken, the other left.” They said to him in reply, “Where, Lord?” He said to them, “Where the body is, there also the vultures will gather.”
In today’s Gospel, Jesus speaks to the disciples about the Second Coming and Final Judgment. He relates examples from the Old Testament as a way to help them understand the coming of the Son of Man. Going about their ordinary activities, the people in Noah’s time were caught off guard at the coming destruction as were the people of Sodom at the time of Lot when his wife looked back back to see “fire and brimstone” and turned to a pillar of salt. Saints and theologians have explained Jesus’ disturbing reference to vultures gathering around the body in different ways. Is it enough to recognize that the body will be raised up at the Second Coming for eternal condemnation or eternal life with the Body of Christ?
Father in heaven, help me be aware always of the suddenness of the coming of your Son. Whether to prepare for the ultimate judgment or the end of my life, help me be ready for Christ’s return. Give me the grace to see in the created world beyond the limitations of created things the author who created all. From the Book of Wisdom, help me recall you when I get lost in the ordinariness of a day: “All men were by nature foolish who were in ignorance of God, and who from the good things seen did not succeed in knowing him who is, and from studying the works did not discern the artisan.” Give me the courage to die to the things of this world and, for the sake of the life of the world to come, not look back.
From the Gospel acclamation: “Stand erect and raise your heads because your redemption is at hand.” Saint Elizabeth, pray for us!
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.