The WORD in Other Words by Fr Leonardo Mercado SVD (Philippines)
Thursday Week 6 Easter, Acts 18:1-8 or Acts 1:1-11, Jn 16:16-20
If you knew in detail what would happen to you, would you be at peace? Or would you be worried? If you knew everything, then every day would be like play-acting. But fortunately, we are only told in general that the world will end at the end of time.
The passage of today’s biblical reading is in the context of the Last Supper. Christ foretells his passion and resurrection. “…You will weep and mourn, while the world rejoices; you will grieve, but your grief will become joy.” In the same context Jesus foretells that Peter will deny him thrice (Jn 13:48). Earlier he told his disciples about his passion (Lk. 18:31-34). However, the predictions, like the end of world, are not specific. The purpose of these predictions was to assure his disciples and for them not to lose courage.
In this world of uncertainty, Christ tells us, “…Seek first the kingdom (of God) and his righteousness, and all these things will be given you besides. Do not worry about tomorrow; tomorrow will take care of itself. Sufficient for a day is its own evil.”
The moral therefore is live for today. In business terms, tomorrow is like a promissory note which is not totally certain in details. But today is cash. So live for today because every minute is important for building the future.
