July 28, 2020

Tuesday of the Seventeenth Week in Ordinary Time

Readings for Today

“Just as weeds are collected and burned up with fire, so will it be at the end of the age. The Son of Man will send his angels, and they will collect out of his Kingdom all who cause others to sin and all evildoers. They will throw them into the fiery furnace, where there will be wailing and grinding of teeth. Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the Kingdom of their Father. Whoever has ears ought to hear.” Matthew 13:40-43

Imagine that day! Imagine if that day were tomorrow. If Jesus were returning tomorrow and executing all justice upon the world, would you worry about any injustice today? Probably not. Instead, there would be an ability to sit back and be at peace knowing that justice was coming.

Well, that day is coming soon. That’s what Jesus said. Granted, that was said almost 2,000 years ago, but for Him it is still soon. Time, for God, takes on an eternal perspective. Therefore, the end of the world is as real for God today as it is when it actually happens.

This is a good thing to keep in mind when we see evil thrive and injustice grow. It’s so very easy to get angry and upset about the daily victories of the evil one. But fear not and worry not. God truly is in control. He knows what He is doing and He will have the final glorious victory over all things.

So think about that. When Jesus does return in all His glory and sets all things right, will the evil we now endure even matter? In fact, from the eternal perspective, the evil we endure should only serve to give us holy endurance. It has all potential to be used by God to manifest His grace and strength in our lives.

Reflect, today, upon the eternal perspective. If you persevere through all things now, and you strive to do so with patience and grace, you can be certain that all the struggle and all you have to endure will be worth it in the end. In the new glorious Kingdom of God you will be at peace, and joy will fill your life forever. Every wrong will be made right and God will be victorious. Make sure you have “ears to hear” this truth and hold on to it through all things.

Lord, help me to keep my eyes on You and Your final victory. Help me to patiently await Your final victory and to endure the evil of this world with the grace and strength You give me. May I never forget the final promise that You have spoken to me. Jesus, I trust in You.

More Gospel Reflections

Divine Mercy Reflections

Saints/Feasts for Today

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Image: The Last Judgment by Pieter Paul Rubens

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