We are approaching the end of the liturgical year, and so once again we turn our attention to the end – that is the end of the world and the end of our own lives. These are not things we like to dwell upon very much, but the Church, ever the good Mother, won’t let us escape so easily!

In today’s Gospel (Luke 21:5-19), Our Lord speaks clearly: “Nation will rise against nation … there will be great earthquakes, and in various places famines and pestilences.” These signs are meant to awake us from spiritual sleep. The Catechism doesn’t shy away from these realities either. “Before Christ’s second coming, the Church must pass through a final trial that will shake the faith of many believers” (#675). This time of testing will involve deception, persecution, apostasy and suffering – not to destroy us, but to purify us. The Church, like the Divine Master, must pass through her own Passion before entering into glory. The Catechism goes on to teach that “the Kingdom will be fulfilled … not by a historic triumph of the Church through a progressive ascendancy, but only by God’s victory over the final unleashing of evil (#677). So things will get much worse before they get better. It will appear as if evil has won. Yet don’t be fooled. God permits this only to manifest His power and His justice, because Christ has already won the victory.

But it’s not the end of the world yet. Other prophecies have to be fulfilled first. Without a doubt, the times coming are going to be a great test of our faith, but don’t be tempted to think God doesn’t care, that He doesn’t exist, or that the Church’s claims to be the true religion are false. We have to see what is happening now from a spiritual perspective. And these things have to happen to test our faith, to purify us and the world.

Just as Our Lord rose from the dead, this will lead to the glorious resurrection of the Church. Our Lady of Fatima prophesied in 1917, there will be trials and tribulations, wars and persecutions of the Church – even from within the Church, but in the end, when it seems as if everything is lost, then her Immaculate Heart will triumph. A period of peace will be granted to the world, and then the Church will rise and be more glorious than she has ever been in her entire history. That’s what we’re looking forward to. But what we’re living through now is the time of testing, and it’s going to be very difficult for all of humanity.

So be prepared. Our Lord tells us in today’s Gospel, “By your perseverance, you will secure your lives.” This means holding fast to the truth when the world mocks it, keeping the faith when others abandon it, and it means staying faithful to the teachings of the Church, when those around us, and sometimes even those high up in the Church, seem to abandon it. Trust in God that all these prophecies will lead to the greater good.

So as the year comes to a close, let us recommit to Christ. Prepare yourself for whatever is coming. Attend Mass whenever possible, pray the Rosary daily, offer sacrifices for the conversion of sinners, and confess your sins. Live as if this day may be your last – not in fear, but in faith. Our Lady promised her Immaculate Heart will triumph. Let’s be sure to be among those who share in it.