“The day is coming, blazing like an oven,
when
all the proud and all evildoers will be stubble…”
Mal 3:19
The final Sunday of the Year of Mercy is drawing near. The
Holy Doors close today, and the Holy Year ends next Sunday on the Feast of
Christ the King. Praise God for His gift of Divine Mercy! Whatever happens in
these turbulent times, we can be sure that TODAY is not too soon to turn to
God’s mercy. In ancient times, our Lord sent His prophets to call His people to
repentance but to us, God sent His Son to bring mercy and love. But Jesus also
warns us that if we fail to turn to His mercy, we will someday face His justice.
In His messages of Divine Mercy to St. Faustina, Jesus urged,
“Speak to the world about My mercy... It is a sign for the end times; after it
will come the day of justice. ... You will prepare the world for My final
coming” (848, 429). He asks St. Faustina to “tell all souls about this great
mercy of mine, because the awful day, the day of My justice is near” (965). Now
is the time of Mercy. The Lord is with us as the Merciful Savior. He dwells with us
in the Eucharist, the healing Sacrament of Reconciliation, and in the teachings
of the Church and in Scripture. Jesus so loves us and desires our salvation that
He also gave us the extraordinary gift of the Divine Mercy messages. Listen to
Him.
In today’s Gospel, Jesus speaks of the strife and
persecution that His followers will face. He tells us not to fear but to trust
in Him and He will give us wisdom and fearlessness in the face of death. Although
these persecutors “will put some of you to death,” Jesus promises, “not a hair
on your head will be destroyed.” Death has no power over those who turn to the
mercy of God. They need not fear His terrible Justice. Instead, for them,
“there will arise the sun of justice with its healing rays.” Do not hesitate; turn
to His Mercy. Now is the time.
November 13, 2016 - Thirty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time - Readings
~ Mal
3:19-20a; 2 Thes 3:7-12; Lk 21:5-19
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