Saturday, November 26, 2016

Not Too Focused


The WORD today (see http://usccb.org/bible/readings/112616.cfm) reminds me that I should not be too focused on the world. 

Being focused is good. It is important. When students are studying for an exam, they should be focused. When athletes train, they should be focused. When we want to achieve things in life, we should be focused. We should learn how to prioritize what is important to attain our goal. However, as with anything, being overly focused is bad. 

In the gospel, Jesus reminds us that we should not be too focused on the concerns of this world. We should not be too focused on our problems. We should not be too focused on enjoying this world as well. There is something more than what is here and now. There is eternity. And we should prepare for that as well. 

It is foolish to be too focused on the temporary instead of the permanent. 

Everything in this world is temporary. Both good and bad. Our time on earth is very little compared to eternity. However, because we are living in the world, because this is what we experience right now, we focus on this world. We give it importance. But we should not overdo it. We should remember that there is eternity that we should prepare for as well. We should work on that as well. 

May we do our best in this life, but remember that this is only temporary. May we not be too focused on this world and ignore our preparations for eternity. 


Father God,
Thank you for today. Thank you for another day to live. Thank you for another chance to love and serve you. Thank you for another weekend. Thank you for the reminder. Lord, sorry for the times I am too focused on things and concerns of this world. Sorry for the times I ignore you, I ignore preparations for eternity. Help me live right. Help me live pleasing to you. Help me prepare for eternity as I love in this earth. Amen. 

Blessed weekend!

In Christ,

-g-
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November 26, 2016
Saturday of the Thirty-fourth Week in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 508



Reading 1 Rv 22:1-7


John said:
An angel showed me the river of life-giving water,
sparkling like crystal, flowing from the throne of God
and of the Lamb down the middle of the street,
On either side of the river grew the tree of life
that produces fruit twelve times a year, once each month;
the leaves of the trees serve as medicine for the nations.
Nothing accursed will be found anymore.
The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it,
and his servants will worship him.
They will look upon his face, and his name will be on their foreheads.
Night will be no more, nor will they need light from lamp or sun,
for the Lord God shall give them light,
and they shall reign forever and ever.

And he said to me, “These words are trustworthy and true,
and the Lord, the God of prophetic spirits,
sent his angel to show his servants what must happen soon.”
“Behold, I am coming soon.”
Blessed is the one who keeps the prophetic message of this book.



Responsorial Psalm Ps 95:1-2, 3-5, 6-7ab


R. (1 Cor 16: 22b, see Rev. 22: 20c) Marana tha! Come, Lord Jesus!
Come, let us sing joyfully to the LORD;
let us acclaim the Rock of our salvation.
Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving;
let us joyfully sing psalms to him.
R. Marana tha! Come, Lord Jesus!
For the LORD is a great God,
and a great king above all gods;
In his hands are the depths of the earth,
and the tops of the mountains are his.
His is the sea, for he has made it,
and the dry land, which his hands have formed.
R. Marana tha! Come, Lord Jesus!
Come, let us bow down in worship;
let us kneel before the LORD who made us.
For he is our God,
and we are the people he shepherds, the flock he guides.
R. Marana tha! Come, Lord Jesus!



Alleluia Lk 21:36


R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Be vigilant at all times and pray
that you may have the strength to stand before the Son of Man.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.



Gospel Lk 21:34-36


Jesus said to his disciples:
“Beware that your hearts do not become drowsy
from carousing and drunkenness
and the anxieties of daily life,
and that day catch you by surprise like a trap.
For that day will assault everyone
who lives on the face of the earth.
Be vigilant at all times
and pray that you have the strength
to escape the tribulations that are imminent
and to stand before the Son of Man.”

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