November 24, 2009, Tuesday St. Andrew Dung-Lac

Read: Dn. 2: 31-45 Lk. 21: 5-11

Opening Prayer
 

“The days will come when there will not be left a stone upon another stone that will not be thrown down.” (Lk. 21:6)

There are large numbers of groups and cults that claim ‘the end is near’ -- and soon. These “apocalyptic experts” seem to know more than Jesus Himself: “Of that day and hour [of the coming the Lord] no one knows, neither the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone.” (Mt. 24:36)

‘End-times’ talk takes advan­tage of people’s ignorance of the origin, use and intent of the prophetic books of the Bible. The twisting and manipulating those books deceives so many people. Only the really hor­rific examples get our attention (e.g. Jim Jones, David Koresh, Heaven's Gate). These sects flourish because of people’s instinctive fear of death and their intuitive knowledge that all known things are passing away.

The Jehovah’s Witnesses and like groups have turned their deceit into a fine science. They are trained to knock on your door and fire a salvo of questions to confuse and instill doubt. Beware!

Jesus reminds us that we must examine our conscience, be in grace (confess and receive the Blessed Sacrament frequently), and be ready always to meet our God face to face. His message: Be ready, you know not the day or the hour!

Reflection and commentary

Psalm 75:2-3 “You said: ‘I will choose the time; I will judge fairly.’”

St. Andrew Dung-Lac & Com­panions: During the 17th-19th centuries, especially in the region of Emperor Minh-Mang (1820-1840), 117 Vietnamese Christians -- clergy, religious and lay -- suf­fered martyrdom; canonized 19 June 1988.

Our Prayer Continues