Reflection on Today’s Gospel – Lk 12: 39–48
We are afraid of death. When death comes, we would like to at least extend our lives a little. Yet death also has something blessed about it. It is scary to think what it would be like if we were to remain on this earth forever. If we, as mankind, would not fall into sin, we would not be subject to death, but our life on this earth would also have its end - after the trial period, we would pass in joy to eternal life, to eternal and unimaginably wonderful union with God who is love.
Today's Gospel reminds us of this truth - that our life does not end on this earth. Each of us will have our last day on this earth. It will not be the end; it will be the day when the time of my pilgrimage will come to an end; the day of the coming of the Lord. May only the Lord find me prepared for His coming.
What does it mean to be prepared or not prepared for the coming of the Lord? A simple question calls for a simple answer. Well, I am prepared for the coming of the Lord if I am in sanctifying grace and I am concerned with the development of the life of grace in my soul. On the other hand, the lack of sanctifying grace, the state of sin, is the state of unpreparedness for the coming of the Lord. God forbid, if any of us will be in a state of sin on the last day of our lives on earth. This is why the Apostle Paul once wrote, "With fear and trembling, seek your salvation."
But, of course, it would be a terrible foolishness if we only sought a state of grace out of fear that death might find us in a state of sin. After all, to be in grace means to be God's friend and to deepen this friendship with God. Can there be anything greater for a man than to be a friend of God himself?
One more thought
End of the World --What Does It Mean for Christians?
Parousia, or the second coming of Jesus, is, simply put, the end of the world. Nobody knows when it will come. Many fears about this, many make up different theories. But faith in Parousia is the strength of Christians because it ensures that what does not come from God will pass away, that evil will be defeated. Father Badeni suggested in his mystical visions that just before the end, evil would try to take over the world. And the greatest temptation of the Antichrist will be to try to show that evil is good. And although today we have the impression that evil is hiding under the guise of good, but we cannot say that the end of the world is near. For Christians, the date does not matter, because Parousia is the certainty of the victory of good over evil. Belief in Parousia strengthened the first Christians in the most difficult moments of persecution. This faith can strengthen us today. Christ's triumph is certain.
Until Tomorrow
fr. george