First Reading: Revelation 18:1-2, 21-23; 19:1-3, 9a
And after these things I saw another angel come down from heaven having great power, and the earth was enlightened with his glory. And he cried out with a strong voice saying: Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and has become the habitation of devils and the hold of every unclean spirit and the hold of every unclean and hateful bird.
And a mighty angel took up a stone as it were a great millstone and cast it into the sea saying: With such violence as this shall Babylon that great city be thrown down and shall be found no more at all. And the voice of harpers and of musicians and of them that play on pipe and on trumpet shall no more be heard at all in you, and no craftsman of any art whatsoever shall be found any more at all in you, and the sound of the mill shall be heard no more at all in you. And the light of the lamp shall shine no more at all in you, and the voice of the bridegroom and the bride shall be heard no more at all in you, for your merchants were the great men of the earth, for all nations have been deceived by your enchantments.
After these things I heard as it were the voice of much people in heaven saying: Alleluia. Salvation and glory and power is to our God. For true and just are His judgments, who has judged the great harlot which corrupted the earth with her fornication and has revenged the blood of His servants at her hands. And again they said: Alleluia. And her smoke ascends forever and ever. And he said to me: Write, Blessed are they that are called to the marriage supper of the Lamb.
Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 100:2, 3, 4, 5
R. Blessed are they who are called to the wedding feast of the Lamb.
Alleluia: Luke 21:28
Gospel: Luke 21:20-28
And when you shall see Jerusalem surrounded with an army, then know that the desolation thereof is at hand. Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains, and those who are in the midst thereof depart out, and those who are in the countries not enter into it.
For these are the days of vengeance that all things may be fulfilled that are written. But woe to them that are with child and give suck in those days, for there shall be great distress in the land and wrath upon this people. And they shall fall by the edge of the sword and shall be led away captives into all nations, and Jerusalem shall be trodden down by the Gentiles till the times of the nations be fulfilled.
And there shall be signs in the sun and in the moon and in the stars, and upon the earth distress of nations by reason of the confusion of the roaring of the sea and of the waves, men withering away for fear and expectation of what shall come upon the whole world. For the powers of heaven shall be moved. And then they shall see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with great power and majesty. But when these things begin to come to pass, look up and lift up your heads because your redemption is at hand.
Reflection
History can look like turmoil - cities surrounded, nations distressed, roaring seas, powers shaken, men withering for fear. John sees Babylon the great fallen, thrown down like a great millstone into the sea, her music and lights gone, for all nations were deceived.
But heaven answers: Alleluia. Salvation and glory and power is to our God, for true and just are His judgments. And a voice says: Write, Blessed are they who are called to the marriage supper of the Lamb.
In the midst of that shaking Jesus says: Look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is at hand. The Christian posture is not denial or panic but hopeful attention to the Lord who comes.
We are His people and the sheep of His pasture. His mercy endures forever. Today, refuse what corrupts and live truthfully, keep praising, and wait for the wedding feast of the Lamb.
Prayer
Lord Jesus, when the world is shaken and fear presses in, teach me to lift my head to you. Free me from deception and from attachments that cannot endure. Keep me as one of your people, trusting in your mercy that endures forever. Give me courage to live honestly and praise you amid uncertainty. Make my heart ready for the wedding feast of the Lamb. Amen.
Readings are taken from the Douay-Rheims Bible, rendered in modern English for easy reading.
