The Lord is near – Parousia
The end of the Liturgical Year always fills me with longing for the Second Coming of our Lord, which we call Parousia.Therefore, I would like to share my reflection and my faith with you and pray together: Amen! Come, Lord Jesus! Maranatha
"And at that time shall thy people be saved" (cf. Dn 12:1)
In another place we hear similar words: "At that time ...". This time here plays a decisive role. It is the time of the coming of the Messiah, Jesus Christ for us. The first coming, when God became man, started the messianic era, and we are waiting for a second coming. And it is precisely the period at the end of the liturgical year that reminds us that the time of Parousia is near, that the coming of the Messiah is real and imminent, that when He comes again, all prophecies will be fulfilled and the world and all creatures will be complete. It is the coming of the Messiah that we await that shapes our daily life. It is hope for us. Our story unfolds between the first coming and the one we expect. This is the Messianic Age.
As Christians, we know that Jesus is the Messiah, Lord and Savior. When He comes, we will be saved. This is the prophecy, and the Bible also tells us about the signs of this coming: that "there will be a time of trouble like never before" and something very important that "many who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake." It is an announcement of the resurrection of the dead to the Last Judgment. A judgment that awaits all of us. Some will go to "eternal life", others "to shame, to eternal condemnation."
" For by one offering he has made perfect forever those who are being sanctified” (cf. Heb 10:14)
In the Old Testament, priests often made sacrifices for people's sins; Jesus Christ took away our sins with one sacrifice for all time. We, participating in the Eucharist, can experience this sacrifice every time. Because the Eucharist is a bloodless sacrifice that becomes our food at the same time. This is food for eternal life. Rooted in this sacrifice is also our foundation on which we can build our entire daily life. We, ourselves, experience this forgiveness of sins, so the words of the Lord's prayer are even more relevant to us: "And forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us." But is it really possible for us to always forgive those who hurt us?
" They will see the Son of Man coming upon the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.” (Mt 24: 30)
We must be prepared to see the Messiah when He comes. We must be opened to receive Him and let ourselves be led on the last path of our pilgrimage. Christ, speaking to his disciples, expressed it vividly: “Learn a lesson from the fig tree. When its branch becomes tender and sprouts leaves, you know that summer is near. In the same way, when you see all these things, know that he is near, at the gates.’ (cf. Mt 24:32-33)
It is the great wisdom of the Church that she often reminds us that openness and expectation are qualities that we must constantly learn in order not to miss the reappearance of the Messiah. This should be our life, should be our tendency to be open, because we do not know when and how the Messiah will appear to us. “But of that day and hour no one knows, neither the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone." (cf. Mt 24:36)
Let the attitude of waiting shape our everyday life and teach hospitality, because Abraham - by accepting the Angels - accepted God himself. And we do not know yet how and when the Lord will come to us again.
until Tomorrow
fr. george