It's  inevitable that a thing will happen when the necessary conditions are fulfilled. The return of the Lord is certain, but the time is unknown. The Lord's judgment comes swiftly and sometimes unexpectedly. Jesus warns his listeners to not be caught off guard when that day arrives. It will surely come in God's good time!

Memorial of Saint Frances Cabrini (in the US)

Wisdom 13:1-9

Psalm 19:2-3, 4-5ab

L uke 17:26-37  As it was in the days of Noah, so will it be in the days of the Son of man.  (27) They ate, they drank, they married, they were given in marriage, until the day when Noah entered the ark, and the flood came and destroyed  them all. (28) Likewise as it was in the days of Lot -- they ate, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they built, (29) but on the day when Lot went out from Sodom fire and sulphur rained from heaven and destroyed them all -- (30) so will it be on the day when the Son of man is revealed. (31) On that day, let him who is on the housetop, with his goods in the house, not come down to take them away; and likewise let him who is in the field not turn back. (32) Remember Lot's wife. (33) Whoever seeks to gain his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life will preserve it. (34) I tell you, in that night there will be two in one bed; one will be taken and the other left. (35) There will be two women grinding together; one will be taken and the other left." (37) And they said to him, "Where, Lord?" He said to them, "Where the body is, there the eagles will be gathered together."

Meditation by Don Schwager

W hat can nature teach us about the return of the Lord Jesus on the day of final judgment at the end of the world? Jesus quoted a familiar proverb to his audience: Where the body is, there the eagles (or vultures) will be gathered together. Eagles, like vultures, are attracted to carrion – the carcass of dying or dead animals. The Book of Job describes the eagle spying out its prey from afar (Job 39:29). What's the point of this analogy? It's  inevitable that a thing will happen when the necessary conditions are fulfilled. The return of the Lord is certain, but the time is unknown. The Lord's judgment comes swiftly and sometimes unexpectedly. Jesus warns his listeners to not be caught off guard when that day arrives. It will surely come in God's good time!

What does Jesus mean when he says that one person will be taken and another left? God judges each person individually on how they have responded to his mercy and gracious invitation to live as citizens of his kingdom. We cannot pass off personal responsibility to someone else, such as a close friend, spouse, or family member. No one can discharge his or her duty by proxy or by association with someone else. The good news is that God gives grace and help to all who seek him with faith. The Lord Jesus gives us his Holy Spirit so that we may have the wisdom, help, and strength we need to turn away from sin and to embrace his way of love and holiness. The Lord's warning of judgment is a cause for dismay for those who are unprepared, but it brings joyful hope to those who eagerly anticipate the Lord's return in glory.

God's judgment is good news for those who are ready to meet him. Their reward is God himself, the source of all truth, beauty, goodness, love and everlasting life. The people in Noah's time ignored the Lord's warning of judgment. They missed the boat, literally! Whose boat are you taking – the world's boat to short-lived success and happiness or God's boat to an eternal kingdom and bliss with him? Those whose hope is firmly anchored in heaven will not be disappointed when God's judgment comes. They rejoice even now that they will see the Lord in his glory! Is your hope firmly placed in God and his kingdom?

"Lord Jesus Christ, I place all my hope in you because you have redeemed the world by your death on the cross and by your victory over the grave. Help me to never lose sight of the goal of heaven that I may live each day in joyful anticipation of your return in glory."

Psalm 19:1-5

Supplementary Reading

NATuRE

. . . if only we suffer with him so that we may also be glorified with him. – Romans 8:17

I like what my friend Dinah once told me. “I woke up to the rain but then when I saw that it stopped and it became really foggy, I knew we’d have good weather,” she said. “Usually when it gets really foggy in the morning, to the point of zero visibility, strong sunshine comes after that. Don’t know if there is a scientific explanation but it’s always been like that here.” She’s based in New Zealand.

She knew, for sure, that good weather would follow. Why? It’s nature. I love how God communicates His love for us through it — through the natural occurrences of life. There was a time when I was so heartbroken and depressed. My darkness had blocked out God’s light and I couldn’t see His purpose for allowing me to experience that situation. I didn’t want to wake up the next morning to the same pain. I didn’t see the point of living another day. But after that point of zero visibility, the sun came out. I made it through. The Lord healed me and raised me up from my suffering to experience His glory once again.

Scientific explanation?

God is faithful.

And we can depend on it… because it’s His nature. --- George Gabriel

REFLECTION:

Just because the sun isn’t shining doesn’t mean it’s not there.

In the midst of the storm, I will be still and know You are God.