blessed Virgin Mary

＊＊＊ 1st Reading ＊＊＊

Revelation 22:1-7

Then he showed me the river of life,

Clear as crystal, gushing from the throne of God and of the Lamb. In the middle of the city, on both sides of the river are the trees of life producing fruit twelve times, once each month, the leaves of which are for heal­ing the nations.

 No longer will there be a curse; the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the City and God’s servants will live in his presence. They will see his face and his name will be on their fore­heads. There will be no more night. They will not need the light of lamp or sun for God himself will be their light and they will reign forever.

 Then the angel said to me, “These words are sure and true; the Lord God who inspires the prophets has sent his angel to show his servants what must happen soon.”

 “I am coming soon! Happy are those who keep the prophetic words of this book.”

 

Ps 95:1-2, 3-5, 6-7ab

Maranatha! Come, Lord Jesus!

 

＊＊＊＊ Gospel ＊＊＊＊

Be on your guard; let not your hearts be weighed down with a life of pleasure, drunkenness and worldly cares, lest that day catch you suddenly as a trap. For it will come upon all the inhabitants of the whole earth. But watch at all times and pray, that you may be able to escape all that is bound to happen and to stand before the Son of Man.”

 

Luke 21 34-36

 

Gospel Reflection：

Now we come to the point! “So be careful, or your hearts will be loaded down with carousing (kraipale), drunkenness (methe), and cares of this life (merimnais biotikais), and that day will come on you suddenly. For will come like a snare on all those who dwell on the surface of all the earth”(vv. 34-35).

Jesus has instructed us regarding the signs for which we are to watch, and has told us the meaning of those signs. Now he warns us to keep ourselves ready. It is as if Jesus were preparing us to stay alerty for something wounderful, such as the coming of the bridegroom (Matthew 25:1-13).

That will be a time of great joy for those who are prepared and alert, but waiting is deadly dull. Who can stay awake hour upon hour, staring into the darkness at nothing? What is the harm if we fall asleep now and then? The answer is that lack of readiness will lead to disaster.