Are you following the model/example Jesus gave us? Are you imitating Christ?
Are you following the model/example Jesus gave us? Are you imitating Christ? We need to remember that God gave us Jesus as our example to follow in this Earth journey! He is the model God gave us! We are called to follow, reflect, forgive, imitate, and love like Jesus! We need to live in reverence for God and what He is calling all of us to do. Like it says in the first reading today in mass, we need to fear His name, there will arise the sun of justice with its healing rays when we do. We need to remember that the Lord comes to rule the earth with justice! When we know this and trust this in our Lord, when we follow Jesus, when we believe in the promises of God for life eternal spending eternity with Jesus, then we have nothing else to worry about. Model Jesus, imitate Him. The second reading even says, eat your own food, do not take things for free. This is a good reminder for many today who want everything for free even if they can afford it. Today we see so many wanting all for free, but they always have enough money for cigarettes, alcohol, drugs, gambling, iPhones, and tattoos. How ironic. This is a good verse for all humans to read and digest. The second reading said, "In fact, when we were with you, we instructed you that if anyone was unwilling to work, neither should that one eat. We hear that some are conducting themselves among you in a disorderly way, by not keeping busy but minding the business of others. Such people we instruct and urge in the Lord Jesus Christ to work quietly and to eat their own food." Some great advice for sure. You always feel better when you work and provide for yourself, taking nothing from others. I know my parents always did. Trust in God alone! Even when you are persecuted or called in to question, we are told not to prepare anything in advance in the Gospel, we are told to trust in God and His Holy Spirit to enter you to guide, instruct, and tell you what to do and say. What a blessing! We need to remember to stand erect and raise your heads because your redemption is at hand! We need to trust in the Lord more! We need to imitate Jesus more! Jesus even said, "By your perseverance you will secure your lives." Shouldn't we always trust God and follow Jesus then?
Malachi 3:19-20a
Lo, the day is coming, blazing like an oven,
when all the proud and all evildoers will be stubble,
and the day that is coming will set them on fire,
leaving them neither root nor branch,
says the LORD of hosts.
But for you who fear my name, there will arise
the sun of justice with its healing rays.
Psalm 98:5-6, 7-8, 9
R. (cf. 9) The Lord comes to rule the earth with justice.
Sing praise to the LORD with the harp,
with the harp and melodious song.
With trumpets and the sound of the horn
sing joyfully before the King, the LORD.
R. The Lord comes to rule the earth with justice.
Let the sea and what fills it resound,
the world and those who dwell in it;
let the rivers clap their hands,
the mountains shout with them for joy.
R. The Lord comes to rule the earth with justice.
Before the LORD, for he comes,
for he comes to rule the earth,
he will rule the world with justice
and the peoples with equity.
R. The Lord comes to rule the earth with justice.
Reading 2
2 Thessalonians 3:7-12
Brothers and sisters:
You know how one must imitate us.
For we did not act in a disorderly way among you,
nor did we eat food received free from anyone.
On the contrary, in toil and drudgery, night and day
we worked, so as not to burden any of you.
Not that we do not have the right.
Rather, we wanted to present ourselves as a model for you,
so that you might imitate us.
In fact, when we were with you,
we instructed you that if anyone was unwilling to work,
neither should that one eat.
We hear that some are conducting themselves among you in a
disorderly way,
by not keeping busy but minding the business of others.
Such people we instruct and urge in the Lord Jesus Christ to work quietly
and to eat their own food.
Alleluia
Luke 21:28
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Stand erect and raise your heads
because your redemption is at hand.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Luke 21:5-19
While some people were speaking about
how the temple was adorned with costly stones and votive offerings,
Jesus said, "All that you see here--
the days will come when there will not be left
a stone upon another stone that will not be thrown down."
Then they asked him,
"Teacher, when will this happen?
And what sign will there be when all these things are about to happen?"
He answered,
"See that you not be deceived,
for many will come in my name, saying,
'I am he,' and 'The time has come.'
Do not follow them!
When you hear of wars and insurrections,
do not be terrified; for such things must happen first,
but it will not immediately be the end."
Then he said to them,
"Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom.
There will be powerful earthquakes, famines, and plagues
from place to place;
and awesome sights and mighty signs will come from the sky.
"Before all this happens, however,
they will seize and persecute you,
they will hand you over to the synagogues and to prisons,
and they will have you led before kings and governors
because of my name.
It will lead to your giving testimony.
Remember, you are not to prepare your defense beforehand,
for I myself shall give you a wisdom in speaking
that all your adversaries will be powerless to resist or refute.
You will even be handed over by parents, brothers, relatives, and friends,
and they will put some of you to death.
You will be hated by all because of my name,
but not a hair on your head will be destroyed.
By your perseverance you will secure your lives."
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