On either side of the river is the tree of life

Rev. 22:1-7, Lk. 21:34-36. On this final day of the liturgical year we reflect on our transition from darkness to light. Meanwhile we must trust in God’s plan for us and for the world and go on living decently and honourably. Today's first reading encourages us to persevere for we are not alone, whether in darkness or light: “On either side of the river is the tree of life with its twelve kinds of fruit, producing its fruit each month; and the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations.” Today's Gospel teaches us how we should live our daily lives. We are surrounded by worldliness, its promises and pleasure. Jesus reminds us that we are in the world but not of the world. We need to rise above the worldly ways and its deceptive benefits. When the 'wait' is very long, there is the risk of not being attentive to events of life: “the hearts become coarsened by debauchery and drunkenness and the cares of life.”

Today there are many distractions which render us insensitive, new philosophies and ideas inculcate a perverted sense of life in us. Being pushed to a world away from truth and down to earth realities can be blind to God and humanity. Today, we are challenged to live joyfully in the expectation of God’s Kingdom, so that it does not catch us unawares. In order to face Christ who comes to meet us, we need to remain spiritually fit and faithful to the tasks that God entrusted to us. We need to take care not to let ourselves down by careless living, senseless pursuing of pleasures and being overburdened by life’s anxieties. Jesus wants us to guard our life constantly against worldliness that weighs down our hearts and take us way from God’s ways. Watchful prayer makes us joyful in waiting and worthy at the return of the Lord.

May the Lord grant us the grace to be found ready when the Lord comes! Amen!! Keep safe and happy weekend!!!