Daily Gospel Reflection
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November 12, 2021
Jesus said to his disciples:
“As it was in the days of Noah,
so it will be in the days of the Son of Man;
they were eating and drinking,
marrying and giving in marriage up to the day
that Noah entered the ark,
and the flood came and destroyed them all.
Similarly, as it was in the days of Lot:
they were eating, drinking, buying,
selling, planting, building;
on the day when Lot left Sodom,
fire and brimstone rained from the sky to destroy them all.
So it will be on the day the Son of Man is revealed.
On that day, someone who is on the housetop
and whose belongings are in the house
must not go down to get them,
and likewise one in the field
must not return to what was left behind.
Remember the wife of Lot.
Whoever seeks to preserve his life will lose it,
but whoever loses it will save it.
I tell you, on that night there will be two people in one bed;
one will be taken, the other left.
And there will be two women grinding meal together;
one will be taken, the other left.”
They said to him in reply, “Where, Lord?”
He said to them, “Where the body is,
there also the vultures will gather.”
I love weddings! One of my best friends from the University of Notre Dame got married this past year. Although smaller than planned due to the pandemic, it was a beautiful day of reuniting with loved ones—eating, drinking, and celebrating.
These very same activities happened in the days of Noah and Lot and still form the basis of our communities. Jesus warns his disciples to learn from the people who did these things in excess and were caught unaware during trying times, but Christ isn’t trying to be a killjoy. The gospels are full of Jesus celebrating with people—eating, drinking, and even attending a wedding, the site of his first miracle.
The challenge Christ invites us to consider is how often we seek stability in our daily activities instead of in God’s power and protection. While he speaks of his eventual return, I think Jesus also reminds us not to lose sight of our need for him in our lives today.
Our experience with COVID uniquely equips us to receive this gospel. We missed birthday parties, dinners with family and friends, and workplace routines. The loss of these activities left many of us feeling disorientated and deeply saddened. However, Jesus says, “Whoever seeks to preserve his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life will save it.” We lost many parts of our lives during the pandemic, but we should not be afraid as Christ calls us to be dependent on him rather than on anything in this life.
While not abandoning those activities that make our lives so sweet, how can we cling more firmly to Christ and keep ourselves from being caught unaware and missing out on a deeper reliance on him for our stability?
Prayer
Gracious God, there has to be more to life than an unceasing round of eating, drinking, marrying, building, sowing, reaping, buying, and selling. All these things ultimately have their origin in you, so it stands to reason that we should be able to find your presence in those activities. Through Jesus and your Spirit, grant us the graces and the insights needed to see your presence in the here and now of everyday life so that we will not be fatally surprised when your day finally does come. Amen.
Saint of the Day
John Kunsevich was born in what is now Poland in 1580 and lived during a time of schism between the Roman Catholic and Orthodox Churches. As a youth, he turned down a marriage arrangement and business partnerships in order to enter a monastery in 1604, when he took the name Josaphat.
He lived a life of prayer and discipline and as he matured, was named bishop of a local church in present-day Ukraine that was in great need of reform. He led by example and instituted changes that helped clergy and laity alike live more faithfully. Schismatic Orthodox bishops took up residence in the same area, claiming priority in the faith among the people. Conflict arose, and Josaphat was unfairly discredited. He tried to calm the troubles by speaking out, knowing full well that it might cost him his life. "If I am counted worthy of martyrdom,” he said, “then I am not afraid to die."
He urged patience and forbearance among his people, even when they were incited to violence. Tensions rose until finally a mob gathered and took him by force—he was beaten and killed and his body was thrown in the river.
It is said that the Jewish people of the city acted heroically amidst the violent mob—they risked their own lives to try to protect Josaphat and his friends and servants. These Jews saved many lives and they were the only ones to publicly accuse the killers of Josaphat and mourn his death while the Catholics of the city hid.
The violence convinced many in the city that things had gone too far, and public opinion moved towards unity. Orthodox opposition leaders came to reconcile with Rome. The relics of St. Josaphat rest in the reliquary chapel.
St. Josaphat, who gave your life for the unity of Christians and inspired reconciliation with your death, pray for us!
Image Credit: Our featured image of St. Josaphat is used with permission from Catholic Online. Last accessed November 15, 2024. Modified from the original.