Reflection for Friday of the 32nd Week of Ordinary Time
So it will be on the day the Son of Man is revealed. On that day, someone who is on the housetop and whose belongings are in the house must not go down to get them, and likewise one in the field
must not return to what was left behind. Whoever seeks to preserve his life will lose it, but whoever loses it will save it. (see Lk 17:26-37)
There is a popular series of books called “Left Behind.” The premise is that God is going to rescue – the word is ‘rapture’ – the righteous from this awful world and leave behind the unrighteous to fend for themselves among Satan and all his minions.
It has a certain appeal. Some feel the world is so messed up that they long for the day that Christ will pluck them away from all this wickedness and plant them in a peaceful corner of heaven.
It has a certain appeal, but it’s wrong. God’s plan is not to abandon the world but restore its original goodness. The redemption began with the resurrection of Jesus and will be complete with the coming of the Son of Man. It’s a mystery as to what that “new heaven and new earth” will be like. But I like to sometimes walk around and imagine all the goodness and beauty around me multiplied times two – a thought experiment you might want to try.
Prayer
Lord, when we weary of the journey,
strengthen us by your Spirit to imagine new heavens and a new earth.
May your light shine into the darkest parts of our lives
and the darkest parts of our days.
We ask that you make your presence known to us
even in those darkest of times.
Amen.
(from Sojourners)
Post note: The above reflection was posted in the Daily Inspiration from JesuitPrayer.org for the 32nd Friday of Ordinary Time. To subscribe, visit Subscription Update (jesuitprayer.org).