11/17/2023 (Friday) Today’s gospel reading: Luke 17:26-37
Jesus said to his disciples:
26 “As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be in the days of the Son of Man;
27 they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage up to the day that Noah entered the ark, and the flood came and destroyed them all.
28 Similarly, as it was in the days of Lot: they were eating, drinking, buying, selling, planting, building;
29 on the day when Lot left Sodom, fire and brimstone rained from the sky to destroy them all.
30 So it will be on the day the Son of Man is revealed.
31 On that day, someone who is on the housetop and whose belongings are in the house must not go down to get them, and likewise one in the field must not return to what was left behind.
32 Remember the wife of Lot.
33 Whoever seeks to preserve his life will lose it, but whoever loses it will save it.
34 I tell you, on that night there will be two people in one bed; one will be taken, the other left.
35 And there will be two women grinding meal together; one will be taken, the other left.”
37 They said to him in reply, “Where, Lord?” He said to them, “Where the body is, there also the vultures will gather.”
11/17/2023 (Friday) Today’s gospel reflection / homily / sermon: Luke 17:26-37
The gospel passage above is a timely reminder that our days on earth is numbered and the coming judgment is unexpected but imminent. We can’t stay on earth for long and at any time of the day and night, we shall die. This is pretty much a common knowledge yet many people still go about their daily routine seemingly oblivious to the warning of death and judgment. Worst, some people even laugh at the warning!
The mere mention of Noah and Lot in the gospel reading above is significant. Their stories brings to mind warnings and destruction. So when Jesus speaks of them in relation to the judgment day, we must take a serious look at the necessity of repentance and obedience in order that our life will not go to the vultures. We must not be like the people during the time of Noah who perished with the flood or the people of Sodom during the time of Lot. They too perished because of their wickedness and unrepentance.
Therefore, while we still have some hours or days or years left on earth, let us have time to reflect on the warnings of Jesus and repent. If we are still too busy with work and social engagements but no time for spiritual matters, let it never be said that we have not been warned. Regrets always come late.
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