Friday November 14th 2025

Friday, November 14th, 2025

First Reading: (Wisdom 7:22–8:1)

 Responsorial Psalm: (Psalm 19)

Response: The heavens proclaim the glory of God.

Alleluia

Alleluia, alleluia.
“Stand up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.”
Alleluia.-Gospel: (Luke 17:26–37)

 Reflection

As we enter the final weeks of the liturgical year, the Church invites us to turn our attention to the final coming of Christ. In today’s Gospel, Jesus uses the examples of Noah and Lot. The people of their time were living ordinary lives,  eating, drinking, marrying, buying, selling, planting, and building, until sudden destruction came upon them without warning.

Noah and Lot were saved, but many others were not prepared.

Jesus teaches that the days of the Son of Man will be similar. At an unexpected moment, Christ will return, and final judgment will begin. His message is unmistakably clear:

Be ready at all times.

Although we have heard this message many times, many people fail to live by it. It is easy to think:
“I have tomorrow to change.”
So we give in to temptation today, believing we will repent later. But when tomorrow arrives, the same temptation appears, and the cycle repeats.

This is dangerous for two reasons:

First, Christ could return today.

Or our own life could end suddenly and unexpectedly. If that happened today, would we be fully prepared to stand before the judgment seat of Christ?

Most would not.

Second, Christ comes to us every moment.

Jesus does not only come at the end of time, He comes now, in every moment, inviting us to choose grace over sin, heaven over earthly indulgence, obedience over self-preservation.

He says:
“Whoever seeks to preserve his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life will save it.”

This applies to the final judgment, but it also applies to today.
Every time we choose sacrifice, mercy, forgiveness, humility, and love over sin, pride, and selfishness, we “lose our life” for Christ and gain His saving grace in return.

Reflection for Today

Ask yourself:

• Do I seek daily to “lose my life” for the sake of Christ?

• Do I choose grace over sin in the small, quiet decisions of each day?

• If Christ came today, am I ready?

Live for God now, in this moment.
Those who choose Him daily will not fear the day of judgment, they will welcome it.