First reading Wisdom 13:1-9
How have those who investigated the world been so slow to find its Master?
Naturally stupid are all men who have not known God
and who, from the good things that are seen, have not been able to discover Him-who-is,
or, by studying the works, have failed to recognise the Artificer.
Fire however, or wind, or the swift air,
the sphere of the stars, impetuous water, heaven’s lamps,
are what they have held to be the gods who govern the world.
If, charmed by their beauty, they have taken things for gods,
let them know how much the Lord of these excels them,
since the very Author of beauty has created them.
And if they have been impressed by their power and energy,
let them deduce from these how much mightier is he that has formed them,
since through the grandeur and beauty of the creatures
we may, by analogy, contemplate their Author.
Small blame, however, attaches to these men,
for perhaps they only go astray
in their search for God and their eagerness to find him;
living among his works, they strive to comprehend them
and fall victim to appearances, seeing so much beauty.
Even so, they are not to be excused:
if they are capable of acquiring enough knowledge
to be able to investigate the world,
how have they been so slow to find its Master?
Responsorial Psalm 18(19):2-5
The heavens proclaim the glory of God.
The heavens proclaim the glory of God,
and the firmament shows forth the work of his hands.
Day unto day takes up the story
and night unto night makes known the message.
No speech, no word, no voice is heard
yet their span extends through all the earth,
their words to the utmost bounds of the world.
Gospel Luke 17:26-37
When the day comes for the Son of Man to be revealed
Jesus said to the disciples:
‘As it was in Noah’s day, so will it also be in the days of the Son of Man. People were eating and drinking, marrying wives and husbands, right up to the day Noah went into the ark, and the flood came and destroyed them all. It will be the same as it was in Lot’s day: people were eating and drinking, buying and selling, planting and building, but the day Lot left Sodom, God rained fire and brimstone from heaven and it destroyed them all. It will be the same when the day comes for the Son of Man to be revealed.
‘When that day comes, anyone on the housetop, with his possessions in the house, must not come down to collect them, nor must anyone in the fields turn back either. Remember Lot’s wife. Anyone who tries to preserve his life will lose it; and anyone who loses it will keep it safe. I tell you, on that night two will be in one bed: one will be taken, the other left; two women will be grinding corn together: one will be taken, the other left.’ The disciples interrupted. ‘Where, Lord?’ they asked. He said, ‘Where the body is, there too will the vultures gather.’
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The fleeting nature of life
In today’s gospel reading, Jesus offers a sobering reminder of the fragile nature of our existence. He reflects on the days of Noah and Lot, when people were engrossed in their daily lives—eating, drinking, and enjoying their familiar routines—when suddenly, calamity struck without warning. He emphasises, “On that night, two will be in one bed: one will be taken, the other left; two women will be grinding corn together: one will be taken, the other left.”
This striking imagery serves as a powerful reminder that each of us will one day confront the inevitable end of our earthly journey. It prompts us to be vigilant and prepared, fostering a deep awareness of God’s ever-present influence in our lives. We are encouraged to nurture a relationship filled with loving trust in Him, which naturally moves us to extend love and compassion to those around us. Let us not fall into complacency, clinging to the illusion of endless time. Tomorrow is never promised. Therefore, it is vital to prioritise our relationship with God, placing it at the centre of our lives.
Reflective question:
How can I live fully and love fully today?
Acknowledgment: Reflections are based on “Prayer for Living: The Word of God for Daily Prayer Year C” by Sr Maria Jose FMVD
