11/13/2026 (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.”
11/13/2026 (Friday) Today’s Gospel reflection / homily / sermon: Luke 17:26-37
Living with Faith, Readiness, and Trust in God
Life has a way of keeping us busy. We wake up, attend to our responsibilities, work for our families, meet people, make plans, and think about tomorrow. These activities are part of our daily lives. But sometimes, in the middle of all our busyness, we forget something important: our life on earth is temporary, and our relationship with God deserves our greatest attention.
In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus reminds us of the days of Noah and the time of Lot. People were eating, drinking, buying, selling, planting, and building. They were occupied with ordinary activities, unaware that a sudden change was about to come. Their problem was not that they were enjoying life or attending to their responsibilities. Their problem was that they had become so absorbed in earthly concerns that they failed to recognize the importance of being prepared before God.
Using the word NOAH, let us discover four important lessons that can guide our daily lives.
N – NEVER take God’s presence for granted.
God is with us in every season of life, but we sometimes remember Him only when we encounter difficulties. When everything is going well, we become comfortable and forget to pray, give thanks, and seek His guidance. Let us never allow our blessings to make us forget the One who blesses us. Make room for God not only during difficult moments but also in our ordinary and joyful days. A life that remembers God is a life that remains spiritually awake.
O – OPEN your heart to spiritual awareness.
The people during Noah’s time saw life only through their immediate activities. They failed to recognize what was happening beyond their daily routines. We must not make the same mistake. We need to open our hearts to God’s teachings, recognize His presence, and become sensitive to His call. Sometimes God speaks through Scripture, sometimes through other people, and sometimes through situations that challenge our priorities. A spiritually aware person does not simply go through life; that person discovers God’s purpose in every experience.
A – ALWAYS be ready, not merely when danger comes.
Jesus reminds us that His coming will be unexpected. Therefore, readiness should not be something we practice only when we are afraid of the future. It should be part of our everyday lives. We prepare by forgiving those who hurt us, helping those in need, speaking with kindness, fulfilling our responsibilities, and remaining faithful to God. We do not know what tomorrow will bring, but we can make sure that today is lived with love and purpose.
H – HOLD on to what truly matters.
Jesus warns against looking back when the moment of decision comes. This reminds us not to become attached to possessions, achievements, comfort, or worldly security at the expense of our relationship with God. Everything material is temporary. What truly matters is the love we give, the lives we touch, the goodness we share, and the faith we preserve. Let us invest our time and energy in things that have lasting value.
Brothers and sisters, the message of this Gospel is not meant to frighten us about the future but to awaken us to the importance of the present. We do not need to know the exact day or hour of God’s coming. What we need is a heart that is always prepared.
Let us live like Noah: faithful when others are distracted, obedient when others ignore God’s direction, and hopeful even when the future is uncertain.
Remember NOAH: Never take God for granted, Open your heart, Always be ready, and Hold on to what truly matters.
May we never become so busy preparing for tomorrow that we forget to prepare our hearts for eternity.