Luke 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."
The Gospel of the Lord.
Only two things are certain: death and taxes.
And we also know, or think we know, that no one gets off this earth alive.
What is our response to agnostics (do not know if there is a God or is not); atheists (deny that God exists)? Well, for atheists, there is no hope.
How does one comment on this Gospel? Jesus was talking at end of days, before His Passion, death and resurrection. Before that time, before the resurrection, there is no hope. Where do we look for hope? Let us look back at the readings of Thanksgiving. Paul to the Corinthians. Paul 's version of Jesus is all after the Resurrection, so that Paul's writings are all of hope: Paul says in Romans, If there is no Resurrection, then all our preaching is in vain. We preach the Resurrection so that we can say, "O Death, where is your victory? O Death, where is your sting?"
Paul, 1 Cor. 1:3-9.
Brothers and sisters: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
I give thanks to my God always on your account for the grace of God bestowed on you in Christ Jesus, that in him you were enriched in every way, with all discourse and all knowledge, as the testimony to Christ was confirmed among you, so that you are not lacking in any spiritual gift as you await for the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ. He will keep you firm to the end, irreproachable of the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is faithful, and by him you were called to fellowship with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
The word of the Lord.
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