WEDNESDAY OF THE THIRTY-FOURTH, OR LAST, WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME NOVEMBER 25, 2020

MASS READINGS:

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke 21:12-19

Jesus said to the crowd: “They will seize and persecute you, they will hand you over to the synagogues and to prisons, and they will have you led before kings and governors because of my name. It will lead to your giving testimony. Remember, you are not to prepare your defense beforehand, for I myself shall give you a wisdom in speaking that all your adversaries will be powerless to resist or refute. You will even be handed over by parents, brothers, relatives, and friends, and they will put some of you to death. You will be hated by all because of my name, but not a hair on your head will be destroyed. By your perseverance you will secure your lives.”

REFLECTION: "By your perseverance you will secure your lives.”

Can we cease to be amazed at the horrendous acts of blasphemy, calumny and persecution in 2020?

After the herd of devil driven swine drowned, the townspeople told Jesus to leave. We have told Jesus to leave when we allowed His name out of our schools, when we left out His name from the pledge of allegiance, when we lit up the buildings in celebration of abortion up to the day of birth and infanticide. Many are in favor of gender selection and euthanasia. Many are recommending witholding medical care to the elderly--because they are useless or worthless.

We are told to do good and avoid evil. But it appears evil is all around us. Demons are at work. We have fear. Neighbor turns in neighbor if not wearing a mask, people disrespect authority especially the police and the religious. There is blatant looting and total disregard of the law. Church attendance in some countries is down to only allowing 5 people in the church (Canada) while Walmart, Lowes and airplanes have no greeter clicking to see if the allowed customers have exceeded the quota guidelines. Attending Mass and receiving Our Lord are not considered essential.

We are starting to recognize the seeds of weeds planted years ago. During this time of planting we were complacent, docile and failed to see that many viewed God with contempt and hostility. Gradually there was a "new norm".

Let us pray that our Pope, bishops, priests, deacons, and lay people do not lead us astray but show us through conviction of faith how not to drown in this storm. May we persevere in prayer, fasting and almsgiving to secure our lives. When confronted with wickedness, false teaching and temptation, remember that Jesus promised that “not a hair on our heads will be destroyed”.

God bless you!