Daily Gospel Reflection
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November 14, 2021
Jesus said to his disciples:
“In those days after that tribulation
the sun will be darkened,
and the moon will not give its light,
and the stars will be falling from the sky,
and the powers in the heavens will be shaken.
“And then they will see ‘the Son of Man coming in the clouds’
with great power and glory,
and then he will send out the angels
and gather his elect from the four winds,
from the end of the earth to the end of the sky.
“Learn a lesson from the fig tree.
When its branch becomes tender and sprouts leaves,
you know that summer is near.
In the same way, when you see these things happening,
know that he is near, at the gates.
Amen, I say to you,
this generation will not pass away
until all these things have taken place.
Heaven and earth will pass away,
but my words will not pass away.
“But of that day or hour, no one knows,
neither the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.”
We begin today’s gospel with such darkness and doom, but from it emerges Jesus’ power, glory, the angels—all the infinite beauty of God.
Our Sacred Scriptures, and indeed, our lives, are not all flowers and sunshine. Look no further than Jesus’ scourging and his death on the cross. At the same time, despite the gloom, we know that there is always hope. From the darkness of his crucifixion are the promises of a risen Jesus and the fulfillment of God’s gift that we might have everlasting life in heaven.
What is Jesus’ real message to his disciples here? For me, it is a reminder to stay alert and be aware of what is truly important. We see this communicated in every gospel. For instance, in Luke 12:40, “[you] also must be prepared for at an hour you do not expect, the Son of Man will come.”
This does not call for passive awareness; we must prepare for the day we may find ourselves in the Lord’s presence. Stay close to God in prayer. Tune in to the Holy Spirit through quiet contemplation. Give thanks that Jesus gave his life that we might have eternal life. Remember that our Lady is a source of intercession. Frequent the sacrament of the Eucharist when possible. Seek forgiveness in the confessional.
As we take time to reflect on today’s gospel, let us not fear the darkness and doom that may surround us. May we face our tribulations with steadfast faith, recognizing that God is coming for us in power, glory, and love.
Prayer
Almighty God, you do mighty deeds and work amazing wonders. Many things are hidden from us, yet your presence is written in the heavens, from the ends of the earth, and on our hearts. Grant us the vision to see you and follow where you are leading us. Grant us peace even when your long-term vision for us is unclear, grant us courage when you illuminate our next step, especially when it is surprising to us. Amen.
Saint of the Day
St. Laurence O’Toole was archbishop of Dublin, Ireland, and a great force for peace during a tumultuous time.
He was born 1128 and named Lorcán Ua Tuathail (his name is anglicized to Laurence O’Toole). He was the son of Murtagh, the chieftain of the Murray clan. When a neighboring king invaded, Murtagh was forced to give up Laurence, then only ten years old, as a hostage.
For two years, Laurence lived in a barren and stony region and was poorly treated. When Murtagh heard of this, he threatened vengeance unless the boy was handed over to the Bishop of Glendalough. Laurence was delivered to the bishop, and Murtagh hurried to visit him there. In thanksgiving, Murtagh vowed to God that one of his four sons would serve the Church. He asked the bishop to cast lots to decide which son should join him, but Laurence laughed and told him not to bother—he had already decided to do so.
Laurence was raised and educated by the bishop, and when he turned twenty-five, he was asked to be the Abbot of Glendalough Abbey. Laurence was a charitable and wise leader. When a famine struck the area during his first four months as abbot, he generously supported the villagers with extra food from the abbey.
Outlaws and robbers hid in the hills surrounding Glendalough and often threatened anyone who traveled through them. Laurence boldly spoke out against these robbers, and they responded to his rebukes by spreading lies about him. Laurence responded to the slander with silence, content to let the truth bear itself out.
When the archbishop of Dublin died in 1161, Laurence was elected to replace him, his election was supported by the High King and the community of Glendalough, but also warmly welcomed by the population of Dublin itself. Laurence's first plan of action in the city was to reform the clergy who worked with him in Dublin. Laurence asked the clergy to truly commit to a life of regular prayer and fasting, and he led the clergy in these disciplines with his own example—he wore a religious habit, ate with the clerical community in a common dining area, and observed hours of silence and vigil prayer. Every day, Laurence shared a meal with the poor and destitute of Dublin, and he sustained many others by paying for their housing.
Various Irish kings and chieftains allied with the Norman King Henry II of England and conspired to seize Dublin. The citizens of Dublin begged Laurence to parlay with the Norman troops for them, but Laurence was unable to prevent the Normans from entering the city. He did, however, succeed in stopping the massacre of Dublin citizens the Norman knights were beginning to carry out. In the ensuing years of political turmoil, Laurence continued to negotiate between the Normans and the Irish chieftains.
During one trip to England, Laurence visited the tomb of St. Thomas Beckett, who was murdered for disagreeing with the king and honored as a martyr. The next day, as Laurence was celebrating Mass, a man attending Mass thought Laurence would inspire the people as a martyr as well, and struck him on the head. Laurence fell to the ground, and the horrified congregation thought he had died. When Laurence regained consciousness, however, he washed the wound on his head, bandaged it, and continued with Mass. The man who struck him was sentenced to hang, but Laurence asked for his pardon and saved his life. (Seven hundred years later, when Laurence’s relics were examined, his skull carried the mark from this blow.)
Laurence fell sick while traveling to England to meet with Henry II and returned to Ireland in very critical condition. Before he died, Laurence was asked what he wanted to leave to his heirs in his will, and he replied, “God knows I have not a penny in the world.” Laurence had truly embodied the care and stewardship of a shepherd and had given all he had to his beloved people of Dublin. Laurence died on November 14, 1180.
St. Laurence O’Toole, Irish bishop who endured violence to lead the Irish people to deeper faith—pray for us!
Image Credit: Our featured image of St. Laurence is used with permission from Catholic Online. Last accessed October 10, 2024.