27th Week in Ordinary Time 2023 - Friday - The day of the Lord is coming

 We read today from the very short book of the prophet Joel.  The Book of Joel is only four chapters long and can easily be read in a single sitting, yet his message is profound, and as relevant as ever.

Joel prophesied in Judah, in Jerusalem, around the year 500, after the return from the Babylonian exiles.

Though they had just returned from exile, Joel tells the people, don’t get too comfortable; getting too comfortable, too complacent, too familiar with worldly ways is how we got in trouble in the first place.  So, Joel calls for fasting and penance and all-night prayer vigils—to gather in the house of the Lord, with the elders: sound the alarm; blow the trumpets…why? Because the day of judgment is coming.

Joel goes on to described the calamities and natural disasters which are only a foreshadowing of the eternal suffering that awaits those who fail to repent—those who exclude God from their lives.

You got to love these prophets. They keep us rooted in reality—the reality that we must maintain the priority of faith. That more important than any of our earthly endeavors is the orienting ourselves to God, preparing for eternity, being vigilant against worldly distractions. Why? Because there are eternal consequences if we don’t. 

“The Lord will judge the world with justice” we sang in our Psalm. 

Again, some relevant ideas there. The nations are sinking into the pit they have made for themselves—including our own nation—sinking fast. And God sits ready to judge with justice. But amidst that, the Psalm explains how the faithful soul is still found giving thanks to God, declaring his wondrous deeds, rejoicing and exalting in God, and singing his praise.

The faithful soul is not prone to discouragement. We know the world is falling apart, and we are not discouraged, because that’s the way of things. How do you know if you’re soul is prepared? The world falling apart doesn’t bother you that much. You’ve confessed your sins, your heart is oriented toward God, and that gives the faithful soul an immense freedom from fear. As things fall apart we can still sing God’s glories, and thank God for his blessings. 

“Every kingdom divided against itself will be laid waste” the Lord says. Of all the kingdoms of the world, there is only one that will survive: the kingdom of God. Though the mountains may fall, and nations crumble, the Lord promises peace and eternal life to his faithful ones.  Confident and trusting in the Lord amidst all the chaos of our lives, may we be found faithful today in his service for the glory of God and salvation of souls.

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That hearing the call to repentance preached by the Church, all men may turn away from their sins to the mercy of Christ.

For peace in the Holy Land, an end to the violence and suffering, and healing for those whose lives have been tragically disrupted. May God’s peace the communities and families devastated by the horrors of terrorism and war.

That our young people may take seriously the missionary call of Christ, that they will turn away from the evils of our culture to spread the good news of Christ’s eternal kingdom.

For all whose lives are marked by suffering, may they come to know the healing and peace of Christ.

For the deceased members of our families, friends, and parish, and all the poor souls in purgatory, for deceased clergy and religious, and for those who have fought and died for our freedom.

O God, you know that our life in this present age is subject to suffering and need, hear the prayers of those who cry to you and receive the prayers of those who believe in you. Through Christ our Lord.

October 13 2017 - The Day of the Lord is Coming (Miracle of the Sun at Fatima - 100th Anniversary)

100 Years ago, today, somewhere between thirty-thousand and one hundred thousand people witnessed the great miracle of the sun in Fatima, Portugal.  Thousands of witnesses saw the sun leave its place in the sky, begin to spin like a top, “spinning like a ring of fireworks”, one account said and come barreling toward the earth. And then, just as quickly as it came toward the earth, it returned to its spot in the sky and stopped spinning.

The miracle occurred eight months after Our Lady began appearing to the three shepherd children. She introduced herself as “the Lady of the Rosary” and stressed the importance of praying the rosary for world peace, for the end of World War I, for the conversion of Russia, and to pray especially for sinners in danger of hell.

The miracle of the sun was a sign from heaven, a stamp of confirmation on the message of Our Lady: there is a great need of repentance and a need to have faith is Jesus Christ.

I saw an article this morning that claimed the Miracle of the Sun was a turning point in Portugal’s history. Anti-Catholicism and Atheism, which proliferated in the 18^th century, leading to the seizing of many catholic churches and schools by the government, maltreatment of clergy, the outlawing of church bells, the banning of religious festivals. Between 1911 & 1916, nearly 2000 priests, monks and nuns were killed by anti-Christian groups. But the “day the sun danced” was a turning point. The Atheist regime was soon replaced, and a flourishing of faith ensued.

The message of Fatima is as relevant today as ever: the need for repentance and conversion and prayer is a perpetual necessity; and that there can be no real lasting peace in the world, unless the peace of Jesus Christ fills our hearts.

The readings today are all ominous, but in their own way they each resonate with the Fatima message. The power of Christ can cast out demons from a soul and from a nation, and repentance and observance of God’s commands are perpetually needed for the day of judgment is coming, “the day of the Lord is coming” the prophet Joel says; “The Lord will judge the world with justice” we proclaimed in the Psalm.

“Say the Rosary every day… People must amend their lives and ask pardon for their sins.” May we heed Our Lady’s message, praying for ourselves and for those who do not yet know the importance of prayer. Confident and trusting in the Lord and His Mother amidst all the chaos of our lives, may we be found faithful today in his service for the Glory of God and salvation of souls. Our Lady of Fatima, pray for us.

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That our Church Leaders may always help us prepare rightly for the day of Judgment.

For those who have fallen into error, for Catholics who have grown lukewarm in their faith, for those who have left the Church, for their conversion and the conversion of all hearts.

For an increase in devotion to Our Lady’s Holy Rosary, and that we may all come to more fully imitate Our Lady’s faith and purity.

That the love of Christ, the divine physician, may bring healing to the sick and comfort to all the suffering.

For the deceased members of our families, friends, and parish, and all the poor souls in purgatory, for deceased priests and religious, and for those who have fought and died for our freedom.

O God, you know that our life in this present age is subject to suffering and need, hear the prayers of those who cry to you and receive the prayers of those who believe in you. Through Christ our Lord.