Thirty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time (November 12, 2017)

As the Church year draws to a close, our attention is once again drawn to the “end times.”

There will come a day for each of us and all of us when earthly life will end and the fullness of the kingdom of God will be present in all its glory. St. Paul reminds us that God’s promise of resurrection with Jesus is the source of our hope - and it’s our consolation when we experience the death of a loved one. “We will be with the Lord unceasingly.”

That promise brings us joy even now as we await his coming.

But the Gospel parable brings us back to the reality of living - while we’re here, we have work to do. The wise person listens with careful attention to the word of God and puts it into practice each day with prudence and foresight. Preparing our day well each morning gives us the preparedness and foresight we need to let Jesus live in us more fully this day.

We hear Jesus tell us: “keep your eyes open, for you know not the day or the hour.” Some people hear his words and feel great fear and anxiety stir within them. Those who are in tune with the wisdom God has given us welcome Jesus’ words and understand that he is encouraging us to live lives of watchfulness and prudent preparedness.

There’s nothing to fear! But there’s good reason to keep ourselves attentive to living faithful and loving lives. God is loving us right now, and wants us to share his life and love with one another today and every day. That’s the best way we can prepare for the “end time.”

Let’s console and encourage one another with this message.