Dear Parishioners and Friends,

May the Love of Christ be your peace. We continue to pray for our beloved departed family and friends.

As we come close to the end of our liturgical year, our readings focus on the end times. It is natural to wonder, “What will it be like?” or “When will it happen?” Throughout history, people have asked these questions, and some have even tried to predict the end of the world. But our Christian faith gives us a unique perspective: we don’t live in fear or dread of the end. Instead, we live with a sense of hope and a calling to be prepared, to endure in faith and to keep our eyes fixed on Christ. This Sunday’s readings invite us to deepen our trust in God’s promises, to stay vigilant and to live in a way that reflects our hope in the Lord’s return.

In our first reading from the Book of Daniel (12:1-3), we hear a message of both distress and deliverance. Daniel speaks of a “time unsurpassed in distress” and the struggles that God’s people will face. But this is not the final word. Daniel promises that the faithful will be delivered. Those who have been wise and righteous, those who have turned to God, “will shine like the brightness of the sky.” For the people of Israel in exile, facing persecution and hardship, this prophecy would have been a powerful message of hope. They were assured that their suffering was not without purpose and their faithfulness would lead them to everlasting life.

And what about us, today? We, too, face times of distress. Perhaps it is in our personal lives, in struggles that sometimes feel insurmountable or perhaps it is in looking at the world around us and feeling overwhelmed by division, suffering and uncertainty. The message of Daniel is just as relevant for us. God sees us in our trials and He promises that our endurance, our faithfulness, will not be in vain. We are called to hold onto hope and trust that God’s deliverance is assured for those who remain faithful.

Psalm 16 gives us words of comfort and trust: “You are my inheritance, O Lord.” The psalmist proclaims confidence in God’s steadfastness, saying, “You will not abandon my soul to the netherworld.” This assurance is something we all need, especially when we feel insecure or uncertain about the future.

In a world that often feels shaky, with shifting priorities and constant change, we, too, need to know that God will not abandon us. This psalm invites us to place our complete trust in God, even when life is hard or frightening. Our true inheritance, our ultimate security, is not found in this world but in God’s promise of eternal life. We are called to find our peace and strength in Him alone.

In this Sunday’s Gospel (Mark 13:24-32), Jesus speaks about the end times in vivid language: the sun darkening, stars falling and the Son of Man coming in great power and glory. These words can sound alarming, but they are not meant to cause fear. Instead, they remind us to stay spiritually awake and to live in readiness for Christ’s return. Jesus makes it clear that no one knows the day or the hour —“neither the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.” Jesus’ message here is not to focus on “when” the end will come, but on “how” we should live in anticipation of His return. The call is to be vigilant, to live each day as though it could be our last, not in anxiety but in purpose. He is inviting us to live fully in His love, to be ready, not because we fear judgment, but because we love Him and want to be found faithful when He returns.

These readings this Sunday bring us two clear calls: first, to endure through trials, and second, to stay vigilant.

Endurance in Trials: We know that life isn’t always easy, that there are times when our faith is tested, when it feels like we are in the dark, wondering where God is. The Book of Daniel and the Psalm this Sunday assure us that God is present, even in the darkest moments. Endurance in faith is not about passively waiting; it is about actively trusting and moving forward with God’s grace, believing that He will sustain us through every trial.

Vigilance in Daily Life: Being vigilant means being spiritually awake, living with purpose. It doesn’t mean anxiously watching for signs, but rather living in a way that reflects our faith and hope in Christ. We are vigilant when we pray, when we read Scripture, when we serve others, and when we stay close to the sacraments. Vigilance is about a heart and life aligned with Jesus’ teachings, ready to receive Him whenever He comes.

So how can we live in a way that reflects this readiness? What does it mean to live each day with purpose, trusting in God’s promises?

1. Personal Faith and Spiritual Growth: Take time each day to pray and to listen to God in Scripture. Ask for the grace to stay faithful, especially when you face challenges. Let this daily time with God remind us that we are living not just for today but for eternity.
2. Commitment to Compassionate Action: Living ready for Christ’s return is not passive—it is a call to action. Jesus expects us to care for those in need, to comfort the broken-hearted and to lift up the oppressed. Reflect on how you can serve those in need, whether through acts of charity, kindness or simply being present to someone who feels forgotten.
3. Avoiding the Lure of False Securities: The world often tells us that our security lies in our wealth, possessions or achievements. But these readings remind us that these are temporary; they cannot ultimately satisfy us. True security is found in God alone. Consider how you might let go of certain material attachments or dependencies and instead place your full trust in God’s loving provision.

In all of this, we find that God’s promises are sure. We are called to trust in God’s love and faithfulness, even in uncertain times. Our hope is not in the things of this world but in the Lord who will come again in glory. When we face hardship or fear, we can hold fast to this hope, knowing that Christ has already triumphed over death and that we, too, will share in His victory if we remain faithful. Our faith, especially in difficult times, becomes a witness to the world. When others see our hope, our endurance and our compassion, they may come to know God’s love through our example. We are called to be “lights in the world,” sharing the hope that comes from knowing Christ.

As we approach the end of this liturgical year, let us take these words to heart. God’s love is steadfast, His promises are sure and Christ’s return is certain. Let us live in such a way that, whenever He comes, He will find us faithful, enduring and filled with hope.

Let us pray: “Lord, give us the grace to remain vigilant and faithful. Help us to endure trials with hope, to stay close to You in prayer and service, and to live each day in readiness for Your return. May our lives reflect Your love and be a witness of hope to those around us. Come, Lord Jesus. Amen.”