First Reading: Revelation 14:14-19
And I saw, and behold a white cloud, and upon the cloud one sitting like the Son of Man, having on His head a crown of gold and in His hand a sharp sickle. And another angel came out from the temple crying with a loud voice to Him who sat upon the cloud: Thrust in your sickle and reap, because the hour has come to reap, for the harvest of the earth is ripe.
And He who sat on the cloud thrust His sickle into the earth, and the earth was reaped.
And another angel came out of the temple which is in heaven, he also having a sharp sickle. And another angel came out from the altar, who had power over fire, and he cried with a loud voice to him who had the sharp sickle saying: Thrust in your sharp sickle and gather the clusters of the vineyard of the earth, because the grapes thereof are ripe. And the angel thrust in his sharp sickle into the earth and gathered the vineyard of the earth and cast it into the great press of the wrath of God.
Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 96:10, 11-12, 13
R. The Lord comes to judge the earth.
Alleluia: Revelation 2:10c
Gospel: Luke 21:5-11
And some saying of the temple that it was adorned with goodly stones and gifts, He said: These things which you see, the days will come in which there shall not be left a stone upon a stone that shall not be thrown down.
And they asked Him saying: Master, when shall these things be, and what shall be the sign when they shall begin to come to pass?
Who said: Take heed you be not seduced, for many will come in my name saying I am He, and the time is at hand, go not therefore after them. And when you shall hear of wars and seditions, be not terrified, these things must first come to pass, but the end is not yet presently.
Then He said to them: Nation shall rise against nation and kingdom against kingdom. And there shall be great earthquakes in various places and pestilences and famines and terrors from heaven, and there shall be great signs.
Reflection
Some admire the temple adorned with beautiful stones and gifts. Jesus says plainly: the days will come when not a stone upon a stone shall be left that shall not be thrown down. Even what looks strong and beautiful can fall.
The disciples ask: when and what shall be the sign? Jesus answers first with a warning: Take heed you be not seduced. Many will come in my name saying I am He, do not follow them. When you hear of wars and uprisings, be not terrified. These must happen but the end is not yet.
John sees the other side of that shaking - One like the Son of Man on a white cloud with a golden crown and a sharp sickle. The hour to reap has come. The Lord comes to judge the earth with justice and truth, and the psalm says the heavens rejoice and the earth is glad at His coming.
So today stay steady. Do not chase every voice, do not panic at wars and earthquakes. Remain faithful until death and He will give you the crown of life.
Prayer
Lord Jesus, crowned Son of Man, keep my heart faithful when the world is shaken. Protect me from deception and fear when many voices compete for trust. Give me wisdom to follow your truth and courage to remain with you till the end. Purify what is unworthy in me and teach me to await your coming with steady faith. Amen.
Readings are taken from the Douay-Rheims Bible, rendered in modern English for easy reading.
