Scripture Scribbles: November 28, 2021
the Gospel
Luke 21: 25-28, 34-36
Jesus said to his disciples:
“There will be signs in the sun, the moon, and the stars,
and on earth nations will be in dismay,
perplexed by the roaring of the sea and the waves.
People will die of fright
in anticipation of what is coming upon the world,
for the powers of the heavens will be shaken.
And then they will see the Son of Man
coming in a cloud with power and great glory.
But when these signs begin to happen,
stand erect and raise your heads
because your redemption is at hand.
“Beware that your hearts do not become drowsy
from carousing and drunkenness
and the anxieties of daily life,
and that day catch you by surprise like a trap.
For that day will assault everyone
who lives on the face of the earth.
Be vigilant at all times
and pray that you have the strength
to escape the tribulations that are imminent
and to stand before the Son of Man.”
the devotion
Wow, well this one hits you like a ton of bricks, doesn’t it?
Talk about a wake up call. Jesus could not have put it more clear: “Be vigilant at all times.”
In today’s world, it’s so easy to “zone out.” To loose ourselves in the many comforts that this day and age provide us. Even when we are seeking Christ, and working to put Him first in all things, it’s difficult not to look to your left and to your right and wonder how it is possible that so many are blinded from these truths.
Money, fame, travel, social media, status, comparison, jealousy, gossip, partying, technology, things, things - so many things. It’s all become part of the normal way of life in our culture. Sin is normalized to the point that if you are seeking to follow Christ, if you are making decisions based on the Lord and His Word rather than what others think, you immediately look like an outcast. A spotlight is immediately shone on you. You are immediately asked to answer for the decisions you are making. All of this comes from an insecurity. Deep down we know we are made for something more. When someone lives separately from the way that everyone else is it makes others curious, anxious, concerned, insecure. This can lead to criticism and ridicule, in an attempt to make themselves feel more secure in the passive way they are going about their own life. They wonder: “Wait a minute, is there something more than I am aware of?” I know all of this because I was that person for many years.
But, as Christian Catholics, we can rest in these words today from our Lord. He tells us:
“Beware that your hearts do not become drowsy
from carousing and drunkenness
and the anxieties of daily life,
and that day catch you by surprise like a trap.
For that day will assault everyone
who lives on the face of the earth.
Be vigilant at all times
and pray that you have the strength
to escape the tribulations that are imminent
and to stand before the Son of Man.”
This is your encouragement today, sister. Keep following the Lord in all things. Keep seeking His face. Frequent Him in the Sacraments. Visit Him in the Eucharist. Spend time with Him everyday in His Word. And He will give you the grace to follow Him rather than the ways of the current age, or the opinions of others. In the end, our life here is but a fleeting moment.
Live not for this world, but for the next.
Today’s devotion was written by Rachel Smith.
