Today Reflection is from the Gospel of
(Luke 17:26-37)
"As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be in the days of the Son of Man."
In today’s Gospel, Jesus warns us about the coming of the Kingdom of God. He compares it to the days of Noah and Lot (Nephew of Abraham) times when people were so absorbed in their daily lives that they failed to see the impending judgment of God. They were eating, drinking, marrying, partying, and working, normal, everyday activities, but eventually their indifference to God’s warnings led to destruction. Try having a conversation about God around here, if you are not careful, someone will hurt you.
This passage also challenges us to reflect on how we live our lives in the present times. Are we so consumed by the busyness of life i.e. our jobs, social media, entertainment, and endless commitments, that we fail to notice the signs of God’s presence and guidance?
St. Albert the Great, whose feast day we celebrate today, offers us a profound example of attentiveness to both the mysteries of God and the world around him. He was known as the "Universal Doctor" ; he was a scientist, theologian, and philosopher, a man who integrated faith and reason. St. Albert teaches us that God’s truth is not just in sacred Scripture but also in creation, in the very fabric of our daily lives. He reminds us to seek God in everything, from the beauty of the natural world to the complexities of human relationships and modern challenges. Now you know why on my days off, I explore nature, meditate deeply about life and nature and more importantly, study the ways of God. We were created for this.
Looking at Our World Through the Eyes of Noah
In 2024, like in the days of Noah, we face many distractions. A key distraction? technology-a tool that has connected us like never before, but it also isolates us more than we can imagine. I always hear from my patients about this and I like to tell them that the greatest global pandemic nobody is talking about because it doesn't sell vaccines is loneliness. We have lost our way with excessive use of technology. We scroll on our devices endlessly, consume information mindlessly, and chase success or pleasure, often forgetting our deeper purpose. Yet, Noah saw beyond the noise of his time. I'm sure he was mocked for building the ark by the detractors of his day. But he listened to God and prepared for what was to come. Are we listening to God’s voice today?
These disasters we see, the climate irregularities, economic uncertainty, wars, and the massive moral decline, might all feel overwhelming, but they are also wake-up calls. I recently had a patient tell me in our exchange that she doesn't believe in anything. She only believes in living life to the fullest and in pleasure. Out of curiosity, I asked what she does for a living. Her answer, ready? An adult entertainer-a PG version of a lifestyle worthy of moral bankruptcy. You be the judge.
All these signs of the time we live are just to remind us that this world is temporary and fleeting. Like Noah, we are called to live with an eternal perspective, building an “ark” of faith and hope in our families, communities, and workplaces.
The Days of Lot In Today's World
Jesus also mentions Lot and the destruction of Sodom, emphasizing that we must not look back like Lot's wife. In our modern lives, this could mean not clinging to things that hold us back spiritually: our attachments to materialism, resentment, or sinful habits, prejudices etc. things that prevent us from fully embracing God’s plan for us. What do we need to leave behind to follow Christ more faithfully? Dear Lord, expose the Lot in us.
Living in Urgency and Not in Fear
All through 2024, many of us felt and have been feeling the weight of inflation, political uncertainty, and moral decay and confusion in our communities. With all that in mind, it’s so easy to grow fearful or apathetic, thinking, “What difference can I ever make?” or “My life is not worth anything” Yet, Jesus’ warning in these gospels are not meant to instill fear in us but to inspire some readiness in us. He calls us to live each day with purpose, aware that His Kingdom is already breaking into the world.
Like St. Albert, we are invited to respond with both faith and action. This might mean using our talents and resources to help others, standing firm in our moral convictions, or simply being present to God in prayer amid all of life’s chaos.
Watch and Pray🙏
The key message of today’s Gospel is watchfulness. Jesus reminds us that His coming will be sudden, and we must be prepared. This doesn’t mean abandoning our responsibilities or living in anxiety. Instead, it means bringing Christ into the ordinary moments of our lives, our work, relationships, and even our daily challenges.
As St. Albert showed, there is no divide between faith and the world. Every moment in our walk in this life is an opportunity to glorify God. In 2024, this might mean being a voice of reason in a polarized and divisive society, caring for the environment we inhabit, supporting each other in managing life’s burdens and or simply listening to a struggling friend.
Let us not be like those in Noah’s time who were too busy to notice the signs of God’s presence. Instead, let us live with readiness, trusting that God’s grace will guide us.
May we heed to our Lord Jesus’ call to be watchful, seeing His presence in our lives and responding with faith, love, and courage. And may St. Albert the Great intercede for us as we seek to glorify God in our ordinary, extraordinary lives.
Amen.
I remain your pal,
Ronnie
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