The readings this Sunday center in on the end of time, but emphasize the journey along the way. The responsorial psalm states, “You are my inheritance, O Lord!” and it prioritizes the fact that God will help us along this path and that we will not be abandoned no matter which road we take. Though the end of the time is filled with mystery, it is comforting to see these promises of God to hold our hand along the way.

This summer, I had the blessing of being able to spend my summer in the Dominican Republic on a medical mission trip. Although there are numerous things that I can take away from this experience, one of the most inspirational phrases that was spoken to me there was from my host mother. On our last night, she told the other Creighton student and I that, “You are always welcome here, but if we don’t meet again, we will meet in Heaven.” That phrase and the meaning behind it continually seems to be a resounding theme of the manner in which I am meant to live my life.

First of all, it is beautiful to see this frame of mind as my host mother looks toward the beauty of the afterlife and knows that this is not the permanent world. Furthermore, it helps to put this life into perspective because all of the challenges and obstacles I may face can seem so trivial in the scheme of life. As the Gospel says, “But of the day or hour, no one knows, neither the angels in heaven, nor the son, but only the Father.” In this not knowing, are we living our life in anticipation of the glory of Heaven with God? I challenge all of us to seize each day for what it is worth, live in the glory of God, and remember to put things into perspective because there are greater things ahead! But do not forget that we will be walking hand in hand with God along the way; we are never alone.