Daily Gospel Reflection for November 11, 2016 - St. Martin of Tours

Today's Gospel: Luke 17, 26-37 - St. Martin of Tours

Up until the flood of Noah fame or the destruction of Sodom, people involved in those events were living ordinary, everyday lives. There were building homes, plowing fields, and raising families. Those are good and necessary things for earthly survival. Unfortunately the mistake came in not considering the importance of also living mindful of our mortality, and inviting God into the equation.

While we can not neglect the responsibilities nor the delights of our present life, Christ reminds us to also be eternity-minded. We are not promised tomorrow. If we have accepted God's gift of faith including the hope for Heaven and everlasting life with Him, it should not be squandered. This gift is intended to be so much more than a Sunday only type of faith or less; which not only limits the enormous blessings God has for us but also as the people of Noah and Lot's time learned, it is a very dangerous way to live.

Anyone in a car accident or surprised by a lay-off at work; or even experienced positive events such as the birth of a child, knows life can change in a moment. Those changes can shake us to the core, and we can be left empty in more ways than one, especially when we choose to seek comfort and reward in this world devoid of the counsel and promises of Christ.

“Whoever seeks to keep his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life will preserve it.” Jesus' words are a Christian paradox, where we called to live in this word but not of it. Every day we are challenged to hope in something beyond the conventions of this world. When we do not we risk the fate of Noah's kinsmen and Lot's wife.

Ponder:

Take a look at your daily routines. Do they leave room to be mindful of Christ and do they prepare you for not only this life but for the life of the world to come?

Pray:

Lord, I will be ever mindful of the promises of heaven. When my decisions draw me away from your path and plan for me, please gently guide me back. Lord, although I struggle to accomplish this in all that I do, let my desire to do so be a pleasing offering to you.

Copyright 2016 Allison Gingras

Allison Gingras is founder of Reconciled To You and host of A Seeking Heart on Breadbox Media weekdays 10 am ET. Allison writes, speaks and shares about living an every life of faith. She created the "Words with" daily devotional App Series: Words with Jesus and offers presentations on Forgiveness; Trust; and the Blessed Mother.