“Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away. . . But of that day or hour, no one knows, neither the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father."  Through the years various scripture scholars, theologians, Christian leaders have interpreted the ‘times’—whether the outbreak of war and violence, crime rates, social mores, weather patterns—with the forewarning of the tribulation, the eventual end of the world as we know it.  As we know, all such predictions or ‘prophesies’ have failed to materialize.  What we hold true both faith in consideration of the ‘end times’ is the “tribulation.”  It will precede the second coming of Christ, as a distinct period of unparalleled suffering for the sins of humankind.  Unprecedented suffering, catastrophe and persecution will take place on a grand scale before the world will see  the Son of Man coming in the clouds with great power and glory.”  Angels will gather the elect—the living proved worthy of eternal grace—from every corner of the world.    Though we are apt to predict and conclude the future, only the Creator is beholden of such. Jackson Saunders was in formation at the North American Seminary in Rome when the virus hit and in the same time span, a natural disaster in his home country of Australia.  Four years ago he shared his thoughts on the future and the present at that moment. “While I am little lost for words, as I begin my monthly ‘Roman View,’ I am filled with a sense of hope and joyful trust in God.  No one would have expected the events of recent weeks due to the corona virus across the world. The situation has left many confused and unsure about what to make of the situation. . . .Yet, in the midst of all of this, I have been reminded about the importance of living in the present moment. This is not to downplay the seriousness of the situation; however, it is a reminder for me to make the most of what we have today. We are continually called to put our trust in God whenever we read the Scriptures. Jesus says in the Gospel of Matthew: “Do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring worries of its own. Today’s trouble is enough for today.” (Matthew 6:34).   As I continue my studies for the priesthood, I am reminded time and again through my life experiences of the wisdom of these words of Jesus. These words, which call us to live the present moment, and to put our trust in God.  This has been a focus for me in my first year in Italy in my academic studies. It has been a major transition to go from studying theology in English in Melbourne, Australia to studying in a foreign language.  When I began sitting theology lectures in Italian at the start of October last year, there were many times when it felt like the only thing which I understood in the lecture was “Buongiorno!” That is, “Good Morning!” For me this was a vastly different experience to my time at university where I could almost type a complete manuscript of the lectures on my computer. While I applied myself with diligence to my studies, I also had to accept that things were beyond my control and that I would not be able to understand everything. In doing this, however, I found freedom, as I put my trust in God. Therefore, with joyful hope I trusted that when exams came at the end of the first semester that everything would be okay. And it was!  However, I am willing to admit that being attentive to the present moment, was not always easy. This continues to be the case for all of us, as we face the many and diverse challenges of life. May these recent experiences we have lived through help us to overcome the challenges we face in the days ahead. . . .May we place our trust in God and once again support each other by being attentive to the present moment in the situation we are in.  I finish with a few words from Australian musician, John Williamson, in his song, Tomorrow’s Worries, which I have been thinking about in recent days: “Don’t let tomorrow’s worries get in your way. Tomorrow’s worries belong to another day. Then, you can let them in and make a cup of tea, but tonight they can sit out there patiently.”  Jackson was ordained a priest following his formation at the North American Seminary and now serves as the Assistant Priest of St Brendan’s Parish in Shepparton (Australia),and as a football and cricket commentator for the local radio station.    Pope Francis has declared this last Sunday of Ordinary Time—the Thirty Third Sunday—to be World Day of the Poor, shepherding us all to remember the poor around us, those who need our care and compassionate love as we must realize that there will always be the faces of the struggling in our midst.  In his homily last year on this 33rd Sunday of Ordinary Time, Pope Francis pointed out: “When speaking of the poor, it is easy to fall into rhetorical excess. It is also an insidious temptation to remain at the level of statistics and numbers. The poor are persons; they have faces, stories, hearts and souls. They are our brothers and sisters, with good points and bad, like all of us, and it is important to enter into a personal relationship with each of them.” 
The Stranger 
I saw a stranger today. 
 I put food for him in the eating-place 
And drink in the drinking-place 
And music in the listening-place. 
In the Holy Name of the Trinity 
            He blessed myself and my house 
           My goods and my family. 
          And the lark said in her warble 
         Often, often, often 
        Goes Christ in the stranger’s guise. 
                     O, oft and oft and oft, 
                     Goes Christ in the stranger’s guise. 
God Bless, Fr. Tim