This week's readings Sunday, Nov. 18, 2001 Reading I: Mal 3:19-20a Reading II: 2 Thess 3:7-12 Gospel: Lk 21:5-19 Monday, Nov. 19, 2001 Reading I: 1 Mc 1, 10-15. 41-43. 54-57. 62-63 Gospel: Lk 18, 35-43 Tuesday, Nov. 20, 2001 Reading I: 2 Mc 6, 18-31 Gospel: Lk 19, 1-10 Wednesday, Nov. 21, 2001 Reading I: 2 Mc 7, 1. 20-31 Gospel: Lk 19, 11-28 Thursday, Nov. 22, 2001 Memorial of Cecilia, virgin and martyr Reading I: 1 Mc 2, 15-29 Gospel: Lk 19, 41-44 Thanksgiving Day Reading I: 1 Kgs 8, 55-61 Reading II: 1 Cor 1, 3-9 Gospel: Lk 12, 15-21 Friday, Nov. 23, 2001 Reading I: 1 Mc 4, 36-37. 52-59 Gospel: Lk 19, 45-48 Saturday, Nov. 24, 2001 Reading I: 1 Mc 6, 1-13 Gospel: Lk 20, 27-40 Pope's Prayer Intentions November General Intention The companionship of holy Christians emboldening us to proclaim the Gospel. To have as our companions holy and exemplary men and women boldly proclaiming with us the Gospel of the Kingdom of God. November Mission Intention Use of the mass media for evangelization. That we Christians may use the mass media as instruments of missionary evangelization.

In an evil age:

Jesus will protect us

		Word of God  Word of Life  Fr. John G. Stillmank

Three years ago I wrote some words for the celebration of the Eucharist on this very Sunday.

How very appropriate are they today, when many of the signs and struggles Jesus warns us about seem to be coming true in our present international situation. How very much must we rely on Jesus for his mercy, love, forgiveness, and protection.

"Let nothing disturb you, let nothing make you afraid, all things are passing. God alone never changes. God alone suffices."

Readings for 33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time (Nov. 18) Malachi 3:19-20a Psalm 98 2Thessalonians 3:7-12 Luke 21:5-19

On her bookmark, these words constantly reminded St. Teresa of Avila of the focus that her life had to have. God alone. Only through prayer can we make God the focus of our life, can we give him the glory and honor which, in turn, brings us to life forever with him.

Just two Sundays before Advent, the Scriptures remind us that the Lord is coming. Not on a day we can predict. Not at an hour we can know. Not at a moment we be sure of. But he is coming.

He doesn't come to call on us like a visitor for tea, or someone we have invited to dinner. He comes when we least expect him -- sometimes when we are at prayer, sometimes when we are busy about our daily tasks.

If we're not careful, we might miss him. And one day, at last, he will come to call us home.

The Lord comes at the hour of our death to all, poor and rich, good and bad, peacemakers and troublemakers. Through the prophets he reminds us that "Lo, the day is coming, blazing like an oven, when all the proud and all evildoers will be stubble.

"But for you who fear my name, there will arise the sun of justice with its rays."

If we have been humble, kind, merciful, and loving during our lifetime, we will look forward eagerly to his coming. If we have been proud, mean, merciless, and uncaring . . . we will not.

When he comes, he will "rule the world with justice and the peoples with equity." The God who knows no favorites will surprise many with his own idea of what is just, what is equitable.

St. Paul reminds us that we should imitate him in order to live well the Gospel. Our lives should be a balance between the life of prayer and the life of work. We shouldn't be "busybodies," however, but do our work quietly and humbly before the Lord.

Jesus warned us about his coming, and to be careful how we interpret the signs of the times. "Many will come in my name, saying, 'I am he' and 'The time is at hand.' Do not follow them."

Too many false gods claim our attention and draw us away from our time of contemplation and prayer with Jesus. Money and possessions, other people, power and prestige -- all these come and try to take the place of Jesus in our hearts. "Do not follow them" is Jesus' warning. They are not the way to God's kingdom.

Persecution and suffering, too, are the way of Jesus' disciples. While nation rises against nation and kingdom against kingdom -- and today this is what we suffer, war and terrorism in our world -- we who love the Lord will be caught in the middle, because our witness shines out brightly before the world.

If we have God we will want for nothing. In an age when evil seems to, but ultimately will not, triumph, he gives us himself as our hope and protection.

Fr. John G. Stillmank is Moderator of the Curia for the Diocese of Madison and pastor of St. Andrew Parish, Verona, and St. William Parish, Paoli.