Where is this world headed? And more personally, what of our own destiny in the life to come? About that day or hour no one knows. And just as well, for it would be difficult knowledge to cope with, wouldn’t it?
As we draw near to the end of the Church Year and the end of the calendar year, the Sunday Scriptures are full of messages about being ready to meet Christ, whenever He comes. We know well that He came, long ago, and He has promised to come again. Meanwhile the Lord comes to us each day, in many ways, both to gift us and to challenge us. Welcoming Him on a daily basis is what really makes us Christians, sharing the spirit of His first followers who cried out “Maranatha” — “Our Lord, come!”
On this second to last Sunday of the Church Year, the Scriptures and the prayers at Mass invite us to live our lives as fully as possible each day, but also with an awareness of eternity, seeing this life as preparation for and building towards an endless life with God.
How should we both prepare for and wait for the coming of the Lord? Carefully, because we have been entrusted with great responsibility – and we will have to give an account of all our doings. Actively, with our lamps burning, not asleep – which means we have to keep on working until the end; there is no time when we can say we have arrived, or we have it all made. Joyfully, for if we are ready, then it is a tremendous joy to await the bridegroom – and enter into the marriage feast. Hopefully, for we wait for Him who, in His one sacrifice, lives to make intercession for our sins – which allows us to live with great confidence in His love and His saving power.
Let us pray. “Our Lord, come! Come with your justice and fill our world with your peace. Amen.”
