Working with the Word

Focusing the Gospel

Key words and phrases:  what sign will there be, not immediately be the end, giving testimony, wisdom in speaking, because of my name, secure your lives

To the point: Catastrophes, disasters, wars, insurrections, etc. are not signs of the end of the world, but of how far we actually are from the end. We hasten the end not by being fearful of these events, but by being faithful to Jesus’ work of establishing God’s kingdom. Preaching, teaching, and living in Jesus’ name is the one sure way of discipleship that hastens Jesus’ Second Coming and secures for us eternal life.

Connecting the Gospel …

… to the first reading: The First Reading describes the day when evil will be destroyed and those who fear God will walk in the light of God’s justice. On this day the end will come because God’s purpose will have been accomplished.

… to experience: There are billboards and doomsday criers who point to catastrophes and evil as signs of the end times. What happens when we change our perspective and realize that the end times will be upon us only when goodness and justice reign?

**From Saint Louis University