WRITING MY OWN BOOK

WRITING my oWN BooK

“… The court was convened, and the books were opened.” – Daniel 7:10

When I was in college, I wrote three dreams that I wanted to fulfill in my life. One of which was to write my own book. It was a dream that I kept hidden until opportunities came for me to use whatever writing talent I have.

As a writer and editor now, I could see how tedious and how long it is to write and publish book. You work with a lot of people. Tension runs high when deadline approaches. The commas and the dots matter when ordinarily you don’t mind where they are placed. You use lower case when it should be capitalized.

The same is true with our life. Every day, we write the book of our life. Sometimes we don’t mind the small things, like our relationship with the people around us, and just focus our efforts on achieving our goals. But at the end of our life, God will not ask about our business empires nor about houses we have built. He will simply ask how much we have loved.

And then the court will open.

And we will be judged. Tess Atienza

REFLECTION:

Have you filled your life with moments that really matter?

Lord, train my heart to be sensitive to opportunities to show my love to others.

the signs Of summeR ARe heRe

I wonder if you have ever seen a deciduous tree in bud before the leaves and flowers have come out? It is fascinating to watch the gradual transformation, for example, of a peach tree. First, the winter cold begins to lift, and then the buds of the flowers begin to swell, until one by one, they burst out in a blaze of pinkish blooms. Then the leaves do the same thing and the tree has left behind its winter barrenness, and welcomed the new life of spring. The flowers then are fertilized and the fruits develop over summer. This is a very clear and simple process to follow.

Jesus is saying that when the end times come it will be clear — there will be no doubt in your mind that this is the beginning of the end and you will be able to prepare for it. Paul similarly understands the Second Coming as an event that will be devoid of alternative interpretations — every knee will bow and every tongue confess Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of the Father! (See Philippians 2:6-11).

I have absolutely no time for the alarmists who are predicting an imminent return of Jesus. I cannot see anything that fits the description of an indisputable sign that this is the case! Yes, we are living in the last times — have been for the last 2000 years, since the death and resurrection of Jesus when they began! There is precisely nothing to be gained by worrying about the date of the coming of Jesus again, as when the time comes, we will know it is the time. What we ought to do is prepare ourselves for that time because even if He should not come before we die, at least we will be ready to face judgment! After all, the end of the world means that Judgment Day is upon us. Let us stop fretting about these events and spend our energies in the more profitable task of living obedient to God’s will — the best preparation for the Day of Judgment. Fr. Steve Tynan, MGL

Reflection Question:

Am I prepared to give an account of my life? If not, what am I going to do to rectify this situation?

Lord Jesus, You have come and brought salvation to the world. You will come and bring judgment the next time. Help me to live a life that will avoid harsh judgment.

St. Virgil, Bishop, pray for us.