As we near the end of the Church’s liturgical year, the readings become more eschatological, that is, having to do with the end-times. The main theme of today’s readings is the reality of life after death and of the relationship between our lives on earth and the life of glory or punishment that will follow; therefore, we need to live as people of the resurrection. This means we are not to lie buried in the tomb of our sins and evil habits. Instead, we are to live joyful and peaceful lives, constantly experiencing the real presence of the resurrected Lord.

In addition, the hope of our resurrection and eternal life with God gives us lasting peace and celestial joy amid the boredom and tension of our day-to-day lives. The awareness of the universal presence of the Spirit of the living God will help us to control our thoughts, desires, words and behavior.

The beneficial thought of our own resurrection and eternal glory should also inspire us to honor our bodies, keeping them holy, pure and free from evil habits, and to respect those with whom we come in contact, rendering them loving and humble service.

If God is the God of the living, does it not imply that worship of God also has to be alive? Therefore, we need to offer living worship to a living God. Our participation in prayers and songs during the Mass should be active, our behavior in the church reverent, and we should offer our lives and all our activities to our living God on the altar with repentant and grateful hearts.