Gospel
At that time: Jesus said to his disciples, ‘When you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its desolation has come near. Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains, and let those who are inside the city depart, and let not those who are out in the country enter it, for these are days of vengeance, to fulfil all that is written. Alas for women who are pregnant and for those who are nursing infants in those days! For there will be great distress upon the earth and wrath against this people. They will fall by the edge of the sword and be led captive among all nations, and Jerusalem will be trampled underfoot by the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.
‘And there will be signs in sun and moon and stars, and on the earth distress of nations in perplexity because of the roaring of the sea and the waves, people fainting with fear and with foreboding of what is coming on the world. For the powers of the heavens will be shaken. And then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. Now when these things begin to take place, straighten up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.’
Today’s Gospel tells us that people will faint with fear and anxiety at what is coming upon the world. At the Second Coming of Jesus, the old man, clinging to worldly securities, will tremble as all those illusions collapse. But the new man, who lives by the Spirit, will lift his head, for he will be freed from the slavery of sin. Then we shall see God face to face.
The Kingdom of God is already here—in a heart living in grace, and in a marriage where Christ is allowed to dwell. But for Him to reign in us, our hearts must be purified; self-love must die so that we may welcome and give ourselves to our spouse.
We can choose to live in the joy of the Kingdom—the joy of the children of God—or to live in the fear that belongs to the children of the world.
Shall we choose the One who has already conquered?
Applied to Married Life
Claire: James, I’m really worried. Our son Andrew isn’t well; he’s started undergoing medical tests.
James: I understand you—I’m worried too. But you know something? Andrew is a beloved son of God. Jesus tells us that even the hairs of our head are counted. Nothing escapes Him. Everything—even suffering—becomes, with Him, a path to a greater good. When we carry the cross with Christ, we unite ourselves to Him.
Claire: Yes, I know the Lord never abandons us, and that to carry this cross I need to trust and surrender… but it’s hard.
James: Then let’s ask the Lord to give you the grace of holy abandonment. May He sustain us, and, if it is His will, restore Andrew’s health. From the depths of our hearts let us say: Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, I trust in You. In that trust, He frees us from fear.
Mother,
Through your fiat Jesus came into the world to save us, even amidst hardship. Teach us to trust as you did, to wait for Him with joy, free from fear, longing for the day we shall see Him in full. Blessed be our Saviour.