32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time

Am I willing to do for my faith? Am I will to suffer ridicule for my faith? Am I willing to be formed in my faith by the Scriptures and by the Church? These are the questions that come to mind this Sunday as we read the Scripture given to instruct us in the way of the Lord Jesus.
The Second Book of Maccabees gives us an account of what happens when a faith is persecuted. The challenge for all of us is to remain faithful to the truth that we have discovered in our lives and to listen to the truth of others without fear.
The Second Letter to the Thessalonians begins to speak about the faithfulness of Christ, who is always present for us, watching over us with love, seeking to help us especially if we are ever persecuted or misunderstood. We need to have confidence that Christ knows us as we really are and is present with us in every circumstance, helping us in His own divine way.
The Gospel of Saint Luke talks about heaven and what heaven will be like. It also deals with a misinterpretation of heaven. It is far too easy for us to think of heaven as simply another version of earth and to think that all of the ways that things happen here will also happen there in heaven. Jesus wants us to know there are clearly relationships with one another, but not based on the same criteria that we have here on earth. There is certainly a closeness to one another, but not with marriage as we know it here on earth.
Consistently in the teachings today we find an awareness that our own lives will end one day and we shall meet the Lord.
None of this is meant to make afraid us but to prepare us. We are meant to be aware that we are now choosing the meaning of our own lives.
Sisters and brothers, let us seek to know our Lord Jesus and to develop our relationship with Him every day. Let us be faithful. Let us live our faith. Let us live always in love.