Awful Things Before the End

   

  Thirty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time

13 November 2022 

 

First Reading: Mal 3:19-20a

Responsorial Psalm: Ps 98:5-6, 7-8, 9

Second Reading: 2 Thes 3:7-12

Gospel: Lk 21:5-19

 

Reflection

By: Bernard Borja

 

A short familiar story:

A friend is having a panic attack due to high levels of anxiety because of having a hoarse voice and a mild cough. She consulted a doctor and told her to get tested for covid-19. She asked her friend to go with her to the testing center because she’s very anxious. On their way to the center, her friend repeatedly and constantly told her, “Stop worrying. Think positive!”

Having a positive outlook in life is good. We see the beautiful things beyond the imperfections.  Oftentimes, it helps us to have a good perspective that the adversities in life are just temporary. But there are also times when positivity is misplaced. These are the times when we shallowly look at something especially if we only want to see the outside good but not the inside bad. For example, the White House and Capitol in the U.S.A. are structures with magnificent architecture and design. But considering that slaves helped built these may change how people look at such beautiful structures. Same thing when we think of the history of Manila Film Center and how the project was rushed by those on top who only wants to see the “good side”.

There are also times when we don’t want to think that something beautiful is just temporary. Maybe because we naturally don’t want beautiful things to end. We can’t even imagine how awful something can get before it perishes. For instance, people avoid talking about how they will be on their deathbed. It’s heartbreaking even thinking about what we want when that moment comes. Sometimes when we really think about it, we want to be assured of many things – that everything will not be so bad, and we even want to know some details on when and how things shall take place. We still hold on to that positive outlook more than preparing ourselves for the awful details.

Consider imagining this in prayer:

Today or yesterday, when you woke up, what were the things you did after you got out of bed? Did you go to your usual routine of having breakfast, preparing, and going to work immediately? Who did you speak to after waking up? What are the things did you talk about? Who did you meet and speak to when  you were at work or somewhere? What were the things did you share to him/her? What were the things he/she shared with you that somehow made you think deeply about? How do you feel about doing these things? You can write about your thoughts if you want.

Now, try to imagine yourself waking up in the morning, and you already know that this will be your last day on earth. How would your day go? Would you still do the things you usually do every day? Would you take the effort of seeing the people who matters most? Would you speak with them about the things you usually speak about? Would you tell them the things you were longing to tell them? How does these 

thoughts make you feel? You can dwell on your thoughts for a while and write about how you felt.

The first time I did this prayer, it made me weep. But I still wanted to make my end to be beautiful, to be grand, to be worthy of a last day of legacy by imagining doing what matters most. But it made me look past the awful things that can happen because I still wanted to be “in control” of my fate even before the end. I would imagine just focusing on waking up and knowing that I am going to depart at the end of the day but got loose on the details that it’s also possible that I might be battling a grave disease. How would I even go through my day and do the things that matters most if I cannot even get out of my bed? I realized that even before the end, I also tend to misplace positivity.

I would just dwell in my weeping and find myself losing hope if I was there when Jesus said, “Such things must happen first, but it will not immediately be the end.” I would even lose my mind hearing Him say, “Before all this happens, they will persecute you because of my Name.” Because I do not want to know about these things, I may not be able to hear His next words, “It will lead to your giving testimony.” I may not be able to understand that Jesus is telling us what to do when these things happen and that He will never leave us alone. He says that He himself shall give us wisdom that all our adversaries will be powerless. All these I may forget if I would only focus on the beautiful things in the end. I may also forget that Jesus is also saying, “By your perseverance you will secure your lives.” If I do not listen to the awful 

things which also have details of provision and assurance for me to stand firm. In the end of all things both awful and beautiful will happen, but we must always remember that Jesus will never abandon us before, during, and after the end.

Prayer

Dear Jesus, we thank You for being with us all the time even when we do not recognize nor acknowledge Your presence. We are heartily sorry for the times when we choose to only focus on what we want but forget to listen to Your words. May we be consoled through Your assurance that we will never go through our adversaries alone. We also pray for those who are going through sickness and pain, especially those who are dying. We pray that they may find consolation in Your words "not a hair in your head will be destroyed." We also ask the intercession of our dear Mother Mary, may she accompany and guide them as they go through the awful things before the end and eventually find peace in God's presence. In Jesus' Name, AMEN.