22 Nov
Tue
34th Week in Ordinary Time
St Cecilia, Patroness of musicians & choir
Dan. 2:31-45
(R.Ps.)Dan.3:57,58,59,60,61
Lk. 21:5-11
(Ps Wk II)
How To Pray With Shalom
Home Page of Shalom
Index of This Month
 
 

Jesus' contemporaries admired the Temple: it was a magnificent building, and since it was the house of God, it should last for ever. As the letter to the Hebrews (13:14) reminds us, however: "We do not have here a lasting city, but we seek one that is to come". This sums up what Jesus teaches us. An end comes to our human existence and the places we dwell in, just as an end came to the Temple when it was destroyed.

Because of the way in which Jesus spoke about the end of Jerusalem and the end of the world, but most especially because of the apparent prophecies in the Apocalypse, people ever since Jesus' time have tried to work out a kind of "timetable" by which we would know when the end of the world will come. Jesus, of course, had no intention of teaching us about a date for the end of the world, and so he says simply and clearly: "Do not be misled!" St Ignatius teaches us that God speaks to us in the present moment, consoling us, strengthening us, guiding us, whereas the devil speaks to us about the future, causing us anxiety and spiritual desolation.



Lord Jesus, grant us the grace to live peacefully and joyfully in the present moment of the Father's love, so that we may grow in holiness.

DAILY OFFERING
Eternal Father, I offer You everything I do this day; my thoughts, words, joys and sufferings. Grant that, vivified by the Holy Spirit and united to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary, my life this day may be of service to You and to others. I also pray that all those preparing for marriage discover in Sacrament the source of Christ's grace for living a fithful and fruitful love. Amen.

PRAYING WITH THE CHURCH
INTENTION
That the Eastern Catholic Churches and their venerable traditions may be known and esteemed as a spiritual treasure for the whole Church.
Elaboration

- END -


© Copyright Shalom 2011. All rights reserved.