St. Clement I, pope, martyr; St. Columban, abbot, missionary
Blessed Miguel Agustin Pro, priest, religious, martyr

Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:


Daniel 2:31-45
Daniel 3:57-61
Luke 21:5-11


A reflection on today's Scripture:

During this last week in Ordinary Time there are many readings about the "end times". To hear Jesus speak about fearful omens and great signs is enough to scare anyone, let alone someone like me who has so often been offensive and deserves His just anger and punishment.

There is however something greater to consider, something that is at the heart of revealed Truth - God is merciful! If we don't believe it and haven't experienced it, perhaps it is because we have never heard or never really listened to and believed the words of absolution spoken to us in the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

God doesn't want us to be afraid. He wants us to know without any doubt that we are forgiven and have nothing to fear. Let us then pray that these "end times" readings will become for us the impetus to seek God's merciful love in the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

Dearest Lord, we thank you and we praise you.
You have called us out of darkness into your own marvelous light.
Increase in us we pray, the grace to believe, to hope, to love.
Amen.

- Donna Raye Nelson, OCDS