St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church at 2750 E. Osceola Pkwy, PO BOX 450698, Kissimmee, FL 34745-0698 US - From Father Jose Bautista

 So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that He is near, at the very gates. These are the words that resounded during today’s Gospel. For many, these words can be filled with fear of what could happen at the end. For others, these words can be a sign that hope will come soon. It all depends on the faith of each individual.  Humanity is going through pains of labor. Sorrows that in many occasions we have created. “This economic situation is difficult, we are sick, and we don’t have medical insurance. Our kids are growing up during these difficult times. Our elderly don’t have medical coverage”. Finally, humanity is weeping about all the struggles as it said in the Salve Regina through the “valley of tears”.    

 This “valley of tears” can be converted into the beginning of heaven, if the same painful humanity begins to offer their sufferings and difficulties to the hands of the divine will. As we look at the situation; we think that our plans are now over. We need to look how the Lord’s infinite mercy can little by little ripp the materialism, vanity, ego, jealousy and laziness out of us. The Lord is taking our mansions that we wanted to own and He returns us to the simple and humble style of the little house of Nazareth. WHY? It is probably because alone; we are not capable of abandoning everything for His love. He, as a loving father, will allow everything that will help us spiritually. In the end, we are not of part this world; we belong to GOD.

On this day, we need to meditate and notice that money is not essential; luxury only takes us away from the poverty that needs to be cultivated within our spirituality. We need to remember that we have the best medical coverage because we are sons of God; who gives us life and can do anything. Everything that happens and everything that it is in our way; is a great sign for Christians that our Father will come soon. The only thing that we need to do can be found in the verses of the following song;