Readings
I - Dan. 12: 1-3
II - Heb. 10: 11-14, 18
III - Mk. 13: 24-32
WORLD DAY OF THE POOR
The second coming of the Lord is the streamline of all three reading today. All those who have qualified themselves to be befitting to the kingdom of God will enter into everlasting life and the others would be doomed to everlasting contempt. All those who have aligned their lives according to the Law of the Lord based on love are sure to behold Lord on that day of His glorious coming. The conditions of the Lord for conquering the eternal bliss of paradise is already set out in the Gospel according to St. Matthew where Jesus says: “…for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me” (Mt. 25: 35-36).
On that day of the Lord, each one has to stand before the Lord individually accompanied only by the good we accomplished here on the earth. Become like the shrewd manager (Lk. 16: 1-9) in the parable we heard some couple of days before. Dare to share the earthly riches to gain life eternal that is true and ultimate as Jesus would say, “And I tell you, make friends for yourselves by means of dishonest wealth so that when it is gone, they may welcome you into the eternal homes” (Lk. 16: 9).
Today the Church celebrates the World Day of the Poor. Jesus says, “Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the Kingdom of God” (Lk. 6: 20) and those who are generous to the poor will be blessed by the Lord (Pro. 22: 9). The poor are the predilects of God because they are less privileged and less fortunate. Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the Lord, and He will repay him (Pro. 19:17) with the bliss for eternity (Mt. 25: 35-36). Strive to prove our Christian identity and credibility in our generosity towards the poor and the marginalised and be prepared to face the Lord at any time as and when he comes to meet. May our mind and heart resonate with the prayer: “Lord Jesus, fill my heart with your love”.
