Daily Reflection Tuesday of the Thirty-fourth Week in Ordinary Time

It’ the End of the World as We Know it….and I Feel Fine

I am a bit of a night owl and tend to let the T.V. play in the background while I am catching up on the chores of the day. Late at night a lot of commercials tend to forecast the end of time. They are all selling books or bibles predicting the end. Some of them come with videos showing wars, storms and famine. I can’t help but start singing a song from the late 80s by R.E.O. It’s the End of the World as We Know it and I feel Fine.

The lyrics list disasters and a cast of characters that are causing trouble in the world. The song makes me think of today’s reading and I focus on what Jesus said, “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.”

All through human history, starting with Cain and Abel, man has been unkind and sadly there have been wars for centuries. Famine and natural disasters have been and probably will be with us until the end of time. The important thing to keep in mind is that no one knows the time or place when Jesus will come again or when the world ends. God is the only one with that knowledge.

All we can do is be right with God, follow Jesus’ teachings, be kind and caring of those we meet. Love God and love our neighbor. When wars rage on or arguments in our families occur, be the peace maker. When natural disasters hit, help those affected by them. We are in control of our destiny and if we follow Jesus then we can walk around singing “It’s the end of the world as we know it and I feel fine."