November 16, 2018

St. Roch Gonzalez, SJ and Companions, Jesuit Martyrs

St. Roch Gonzalez, SJ and Companions, Jesuit Martyrs

Just as it was in the days of Noah, so too it will be in the days of the Son of Man. They were eating and drinking, and marrying and being given in marriage, until the day Noah entered the ark, and the flood came and destroyed all of them. Likewise, just as it was in the days of Lot: they were eating and drinking, buying and selling, planting and building, but on the day that Lot left Sodom, it rained fire and sulfur from heaven and destroyed all of them —it will be like that on the day that the Son of Man is revealed.

On that day, anyone on the housetop who has belongings in the house must not come down to take them away; and likewise anyone in the field must not turn back. Remember Lot’s wife. Those who try to make their life secure will lose it, but those who lose their life will keep it.I tell you, on that night there will be two in one bed; one will be taken and the other left. There will be two women grinding meal together; one will be taken and the other left.” Then they asked him, “Where, Lord?” He said to them, “Where the corpse is, there the vultures will gather.”

New Revised Standard Version, copyright 1989, by the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved. USCCB approved.

Living a “NOW” spirituality

Time is major aspect of our Catholic faith. Through our stories, we look at our past for insight into looking to our future beyond this human life and the unknown. Jesus does both, but he connects the past and the future to the present and how we are living our lives right now. Our Catholic faith is a “NOW’ spirituality. Jesus is asking us what are we doing right now to build the Kingdom of God among us. How do we love our neighbor? Welcome the stranger? Serve the underserved?

Where are we building a Kingdom of God reflective of the gospel values of Jesus? What is going on in our lives right now that distracts us from focusing on the Kingdom of God? Let us prayerfully discern what those distractions are to better choose to focus solely on Jesus. For when we are called by God to the next life, none of these distractions or material possessions will come with us. We will not have time to prepare as God will take us as we are. Now, right now at that very moment. Am I ready?

—Dr. Sajit U. Kabadi is the Acting Assistant Principal of Mission, Ministry, and Diversity at Regis Jesuit High School in Colorado.

Prayer

Be not afraid.
I go before you always.
Come follow me,
and I will give you rest.

—Refrain of Be Not Afraid © 1975, Robert J. Dufford, SJ, and New Dawn Music