First Reading: Second John 1:4-9
I was very glad that I found some of your children walking in truth, as we have received a commandment from the Father.
And now I beseech you, lady, not as writing a new commandment to you, but that which we have had from the beginning, that we love one another.
And this is love, that we walk according to His commandments. For this is the commandment, that as you have heard from the beginning, you should walk in it.
For many deceivers have gone out into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh, this is a deceiver and an antichrist.
Look to yourselves, that you do not lose what you have worked for, but that you may receive a full reward. Whoever goes beyond and does not remain in the doctrine of Christ does not have God. He who remains in the doctrine has both the Father and the Son.
Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 119:1, 2, 10, 11, 17, 18
R. Blessed are they who follow the law of the Lord!
Alleluia: Luke 21:28
Gospel: Luke 17:26-37
And as it happened in the days of Noah, so shall it be also in the days of the Son of Man. They ate and drank, they married wives and were given in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark and the flood came and destroyed them all.
Likewise as it happened in the days of Lot, they ate and drank, they bought and sold, they planted and built. And on the day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven and destroyed them all. Even so shall it be on the day when the Son of Man shall be revealed.
In that hour he that shall be on the housetop and his goods in the house, let him not go down to take them away, and he that shall be in the field likewise let him not return back. Remember Lot's wife.
Whoever shall seek to save his life shall lose it, and whoever shall lose it shall preserve it. I say to you, in that night there shall be two men in one bed, the one shall be taken and the other shall be left. Two women shall be grinding together, the one shall be taken and the other shall be left, two men shall be in the field, the one shall be taken and the other shall be left.
They answering say to Him: Where, Lord? He said to them: Wherever the body shall be, there will the eagles also be gathered together.
Reflection
In the days of Noah and Lot, people were doing normal things - eating, drinking, marrying, buying, selling, planting, building. Nothing wrong in itself, but they were so absorbed that they missed God's call. Then judgment came suddenly.
Jesus says, remember Lot's wife. She looked back because her heart was still in Sodom. Whoever seeks to save his life will lose it, whoever loses it will preserve it.
John tells us how to be ready: walk in truth, love one another, remain in the doctrine of Christ. That is not complicated - walk according to His commandments. The psalm prays: With my whole heart I have sought you, let me not stray. Hide God's word in your heart.
You do not need to live in fear. Stand erect and raise your heads, because your redemption is at hand. Stay faithful today in love and truth, and you will be ready.
Prayer
Lord Jesus, keep me faithful to your truth. Open my eyes to see the wonder of your law and keep your word hidden in my heart so I do not stray. When daily life fills my mind, keep me from forgetting you. Teach me to love others and to let go of whatever keeps me looking back. Help me stand erect in hope, trusting that your redemption is near. Amen.
Readings are taken from the Douay-Rheims Bible, rendered in modern English for easy reading.
