November 29, 2018 Thursday of the 34th Week in Ordinary Time-B

Revelation 18:1-2, 21-23; 19:1-3, 9

Psalm 100

Luke 21:20-28

“…stand erect and raise your heads because your redemption is at hand.”  Lk. 21:28

Lord, the destruction of Jerusalem and the temple occurred a long time ago.  But time marches on: every day we draw closer to the end of time as well as the end of our individual lives.  As our liturgical year draws to a close, the readings remind us that someday, all this will be over and you will return to gather your disciples to yourself.  Each Sunday we say in the creed: “He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end.”  This is a good time to look at myself, Lord, and see if I am living each day as if it were my last.  Am I ready to meet you?  Or have I put off letting go of what may separate me from you?   You have given me every grace and blessing I need to live as you have created me to live.  You have defeated death and want to share that victory with me.  There is nothing to fear because you have redeemed me.  So help me be ready so I can stand tall and greet you when you come in glory.  Amen.