We are called by Jesus to read the signs of the times. What are some of these signs? World wide pandemic virus, political instability, frequent and violent natural catastrophes, decline in morality, rise in secularism, loss of a sense of dignity for individual life, fear of greater control by the government, threat of nuclear disaster. What is God telling us? We are reminded how fragile and limited our life is. We are called to put first things first, to make choices in reference to our eternal salvation. As Jesus has said, "For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and that of the gospel will save it. What profit is there for one to gain the whole world and forfeit his life" (Mk 8:35-36)? We are not to fear the times, but rather look to the Lord to whom we belong by virtue of creation, redemption, adoptions and mission. Our attitude should be that of St. Paul: "For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor present things, nor future things, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Romans 8:38-39).