Luke 17:26-37 NRSVue
26Just as it was in the days of Noah, so, too, it will be in the days of the Son of Man. 27They were eating and drinking and marrying and being given in marriage until the day Noah entered the ark, and the flood came and destroyed all of them. 28Likewise, just as it was in the days of Lot, they were eating and drinking, buying and selling, planting and building, 29but on the day that Lot left Sodom it rained fire and sulfur from heaven and destroyed all of them; 30it will be like that on the day that the Son of Man is revealed. 31On that day, anyone on the housetop who has belongings in the house must not come down to take them away, and likewise anyone in the field must not turn back. 32Remember Lot’s wife. 33Those who try to make their life secure will lose it, but those who lose their life will keep it. 34I tell you, on that night there will be two in one bed; one will be taken and the other left. 35There will be two women grinding meal together; one will be taken and the other left.” 37Then they asked him, “Where, Lord?” He said to them, “Where the corpse is, there the eagles will gather.”
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Reflection on Luke 17:26-37
Inspiration from 2025-11-14 Daily Prayer
All human life is fragile. Every day, we read of disasters and tragic loss of life. This gospel reminds us that we know not the day nor the hour of our own departure from this life. Let us pray to be ready when our time comes to go home to the Father.
Further reflection
Three apocalyptic visions weave in and out of one another in these chapters of Luke: Jesus’ sense of his own forthcoming Passion and death; his warning of the destruction of Jerusalem by the Romans; and the second coming of Jesus at the end of time.
Jesus is on his way to Jerusalem to die. He does not have much time left. He knows that he faces the ultimate choice soon. Is that why he speaks so vehemently about the need to choose now, and about the insecurity of this life?
The ‘end gospels' call on us to trust. Losing and saving our lives is in the hands of God as is all else. Trust is the big call of every relevant relationship. Prayer is a gateway to growth in trust in God.
The readings of these days speak of the 'end times' as we bring the liturgical year to a close. I use them as an opportunity to recognise who I am and where I am going: I am created by God and am being drawn to live fully with God.
I consider that everything I enjoy – even life itself – is a gift. I humbly give thanks.