what we need to know about the end
"Whoever tries to preserve his life will lose it; whoever loses it will keep it." —Luke 17:33
As we near the end of the Church's year, the Church proclaims Jesus' revelation about the end of the world. Jesus reveals much to us about the world's end because we need to know all this. Jesus does not reveal trivia but essentials.
We need to know that much of the world will be prosperous when the world ends. People will be eating and drinking, getting married, doing business, building, and planting (Lk 17:27-28). Then the world will end in a blaze of fire (2 Pt 3:7, 10, 12). We need to know this so that we will not let prosperity corrupt us and spiritually blind us.
We also need to know that the world will end in a flash. There will be no time to go downstairs, to go home, or to repent (Lk 17:31). If we're not ready, we won't be able to get ready.
We also need to know that at the world's end, not everyone will be prospering. Many will be suffering "famine and pestilence and earthquakes" (Mt 24:7), while many others will be enjoying themselves and watching the news coverage of these tragedies before they switch channels to something more entertaining.
It's beginning to look a lot like the end of the world. Repent! The kingdom of God and the King of the kingdom is near — even at the door (Mk 1:15; Jas 5:9).
Prayer: Father, in this Great Jubilee, have Your way in this world and in my life.
Promise: "It has given me great joy to find some of your children walking in the path of truth, just as we were commanded by the Father." —2 Jn 4
Praise: St. Elizabeth gave generous alms to the poor throughout her husband's empire. After his death, she sold her possessions and gave the proceeds to the poor.
Nihil Obstat: Reverend Ralph J. Lawrence, April 24, 2000
Imprimatur: †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, April 27, 2000