The World is Engulfed in Trials: Please Pray for Donald Trump

Sermon by Rev. John Paul Shea

33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time, Nov. 13, 2016

Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish, Tucson, AZ

In today’s Gospel, we focus on what will take place in the end times. The words of our Lord

Jesus in today’s Gospel (Luke 21:5-19) are words that every one of us need to pay close attention to because Our Lord speaks of the things that will soon affect every person on this earth. 

Our Lord Jesus begins by speaking of the Temple of Jerusalem which would be destroyed in the year 70 AD. Yet, Jesus uses this opportunity not just to speak about the coming destruction of the Temple, but He also reminds us that this world as we know it is going to drastically change. 

He speaks of deceivers who will come in His name. He speaks of wars and rumors of wars. He speaks of nations rising against nations and kingdoms against kingdoms. We have seen all of these signs in this current generation in which we live today, but Our Lord does not stop there. 

He continues to speak of natural disasters such as earthquakes, famines, and plagues. Yet, He reminds us that at some future point these sorts of occurrences will reach a peak and Mother Nature will wreak havoc on this world in ways that are unprecedented. We will be forced to realize that we are no longer in control over the situations taking place around us. 

We hear a lot in our time today about climate change and our need to take care of the earth in order to prevent future calamities. There is nothing wrong in that, but ultimately we must recognise that God is in control and, in the end, He will take care of the earth.

Fr. John Paul Shea

My brothers and sisters, the bottom line is that this world in which we live today is going to radically change. Our world is going to be renewed. Therefore, as Christians we must anchor ourselves in the Kingdom of our Lord Jesus. Our Lord has given us His Church to prepare for this day through its proclamation of repentance and conversion, and He calls us to be faithful to His teachings. 

In fact, He tells us that as the Second Coming approaches, it will be more and more difficult  to practice our faith. It will be hard to stand strong against persecution. The faithful will be handed over to kings and governors because of Jesus' Name. Even parents, brothers, relatives, and friends will betray us. Our Lord says that we will be hated by all. 

Child covering her eyes at Gay Pride Parade

We can see resistance against God in our time as secular laws are passed, such as legal same sex marriage and euthanasia. We hear of Christian businesses being threatened for failing to provide non-essential services to same-sex "weddings." We have heard comments through politicians who speak of faithful Catholics as backwards and deplorable.

Marriage Supporters weeping outside U.S. Courtroom where
same-sex "marriage" is legalised. 

The reality is that it will not get easier for faithful Christians to live and proclaim the Truth because societies are rapidly turning away from God’s laws. As we know, we now have a new president of our country. Whether  we like him or not, we need to pray for him.

We need to trust that the Holy Spirit enabled him to be chosen, and we need to pray for his conversion. We need to pray for him to stand strong for religious freedom. We need to pray that he stand firm in his commitment to

Please Pray for U.S. President Donald Trump

uphold the sanctity of life because the number of abortions taking place today is enough to bring judgment upon us! 

Today’s Gospel calls us to keep our hearts and minds focused on the coming of our Lord’s Kingdom. The devil  wants to destroy  God’s plan. He is building his own world order, but his power will be crushed by Jesus Christ through the intercession of our Blessed Mother Mary.

Therefore, let us hold firm to the gift of faith. May God give us His help, strength, and perseverance to the end. Amen!