In today’s readings we see a vision of a paradise, are told to praise God, and then in the gospel Jesus tells us to be on guard because we do not know when that day is coming. That day is our death. He says “that day will assault everyone who lives on the face of the earth.” We do not know when we will die, so we have to be ready at all times.

The last time I wrote a reflection, my topic was that Jesus will come like a thief in the night and we don’t know when so we must be prepared at all times. And I think we are assigned these readings pretty randomly, so I think it’s odd that I got such similar readings two times in a row. Now I’m wondering if it’s personal. I’m wondering if it’s a message to me that I should be alert and aware. I’m wondering whether “the Lord, the God of prophetic spirits, sent his angel to show his servants what must happen soon." "Behold, I am coming soon."

If you read my previous reflection and now you’re reading this one, perhaps you should be wondering that as well. In my last reflection I asserted that we should all be ready at all times. And maybe you read that. But now that I’m seeing it again, I’m thinking, maybe I should really be ready. Like I didn’t really mean it before. Maybe you’re thinking that too. But why should it take a second or third or whatever reading to get the point across? I’ve been writing these reflections for many years. I’ve had other readings like this before (it’s not an uncommon theme in the Bible). And I honestly do try to be ready. I have my affairs in order. But even reading the parables and thinking, sure it could be any day, doesn’t make it seem real. So far every day has not been that day. But this odd repetition has made me think twice. One day will be that day and I need to be ready. So do you.