shaken. And at this time they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. So, when you see things begin to happen,
stand erect and lift up your heads, for your deliverance is drawing near.” Be on your guard; don’t immerse yourselves in a life of pleasure, drunkenness and
worldly cares, lest that day catch you unaware, like a trap. For, like a snare, will that day come upon all the inhabitants of the earth. But watch at all times and
pray, that you may be able to escape all that is going to happen and to stand before the Son of Man.”

Lectio Divina

READ: The reading speaks of inter-galactic disturbances in the balance of the
elements. There will be chaos. This is a prelude to the coming of Jesus in power
and great glory. The faithful must not be afraid but welcome these happenings
since their deliverance will be near. Meanwhile, they have to live upright lives
since the time and the hour of Jesus’ coming is not known.

REFLECT: The Kingdom of God when it comes will literally turn the present
world order upside down that the language employed is of inter-galactic nature.
This is to drive the point that everything will be renewed. The laws of heaven will
replace human laws that are imperfect and sometimes skewed to the interest of
the rich and powerful. This is where the limitation of human words can be seen.
It is not enough to convey what will really happen in the future to come. That is
why symbolic language is employed. It has the imagery that can be understood
by a creative mind that uses higher operations of the thinking process. Those
who think literally cannot aspire to unpack its full meaning and import in the
spiritual life. The question is, are we going to be afraid of the second coming
of Christ? The gospel itself tells us to stand erect and hold our heads high for
our deliverance is at hand. And so, the end time is not about suffering and
punishment. It is about the dawn of a new world order according to the will of
God and the redemption of humankind.

RESPOND: Are we concerned about our future state and do something to
secure it? We must remember that what we do here on earth echoes in eternity.
Let us start living lives with integrity today and we will never worry about our
future to come.