Linking Up

We hear a lot today about linked-up thinking in many fields of life from government departments to ordinary activity.  Such link-ups make for less waste, less duplication, saving of money, better service.  We see this clearly, e.g., when the parts of a new road are joined together. 

Today’s liturgy, reflecting the present mood of the Church’s year, is stressing the end-time which is not so obviously joined-up in everyday talk to the rest of existence (though it is always with us beneath the surface).  So, eternal life is signalled today, in continuity with the road we travel on earth.  The 1^st reading (from Maccabees) speaks of rising to glory.  Jesus in the Gospel shows that human beings survive physical death.  All people choose to be with God, or not, eternally.

The prospect of heaven is enticing.  We can see students who persevere in working for good results.  So we keep on a good course of fidelity and so reach a happy end to our life-journey.  St Paul in the 2^nd reading offers us “sure hope” as we go forward in the grace of our Baptism, finding courage in God’s love and protection. 

All our ordinary living is joined closely to the limitless joy for which we long, so that the least and smallest thing is charged with wonder and high potential.  “Do all the good deeds you can while you still have the time”.  (St John of God)

Fr. Eamon Flanagan, C.M.

12th November 2007