Being Prepared!!!

The blog from November 15 can be associated closely with the blog of today because the gospel, Luke 17:26-37, also deals with the days to come. As Jesus says towards the end of the gospel, "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." The commentary for that gospel speaks of the Rapture, where God will snatch certain people to Himself, but that is not Catholic thought. Instead, we need to be prepared and ready at all times. That same commentator talked about a "Spiritual Laziness" that we can fall into. We get caught up in the culture around us and forget what really matters, spending eternity with God. These days of late fall and early winter are reminders of death. Everything goes dormant but we know that with spring comes new life. The same is true for all believers, death is not the end, but the beginning. Through Jesus death and resurrection, we have the forgivness of our sins and the promise of eternal life. Again, it begins with us, we need to prepare ourselves through prayer, getting to church, receiving the Sacraments, reading Sacred Scripture, and spiritual reading. The resources are there and hopefully this Year of Faith will revitalize us to learn and grow in the faith that has been instilled in us. Faith is the gift that sustains us in life, so let us live it to the fullest. Do not be afraid as Jesus says, but always be ready and prepared! God Bless You!!!