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Sunday, November 17, 2013

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33rd Sunday Ordinary Time


Malachi 3:19-20
2 Thessalonians 3:7-12
Psalm 98:5-9
Luke 21:5-19

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the daylight savings time

"Lo, the day is coming." —Malachi 3:19

Malachi prophesied about "the day." This is the last day of all, the day the world ends, the day of fire, the day of Jesus' final coming, Judgment Day. "The day is coming, blazing like an oven, when all the proud and all evildoers will be stubble" (Mal 3:19). However, for those who fear God's name, on the last day "there will arise the sun of justice with its healing rays" (Mal 3:20). These Christians will definitely need these healing rays because prior to the final day they will be manhandled, persecuted, arrested, betrayed, hated, and some will even be martyred (Lk 21:12-17). "By patient endurance" they will save their lives and receive the healing rays of Jesus' final coming (Lk 21:19).

If Jesus returned today and the world ended or if you died today, would you be among the proud and the evildoers or among those who respect, love, obey, and fear the Lord? Are you the persecuted or the persecutor? Are you living for Jesus or for yourself? Are you going to be thrown into the fire or healed by the "Son-shine"? Repent, go to Confession, love Jesus, suffer for Him, rejoice in the present, look forward to the future. "The day is coming" (Mal 3:19). Come, Lord Jesus!

Prayer:  Father, by repentance, intercession, and evangelization may I hasten "the day" (2 Pt 3:12).

Promise:  "We enjoin all such, and we urge them strongly in the Lord Jesus Christ, to earn the food they eat by working quietly." —2 Thes 3:12

Praise:  Alleluia! Praise Jesus risen from the dead! Alleluia!

Rescript:  †Most Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Auxiliary Bishop, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, May 22, 2013

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