Raise your heads up
On the threshold of Advent, we read about the visions of the future so terrible that the skin tears; about the terrible beasts coming out of the sea, the cataclysms and the death of our children. All this is to accompany the Second Coming of the Lord to earth. Wars, strong earthquakes, hunger and disease. A persecution like the world has never seen. And after all, a fair final judgment.
No wonder we don't miss Parousia somehow.
And Jesus says: Get your spirit and lift up your heads, for your redemption is near. (cf. Lk 21:28)
What are we waiting for? For the Avenger? A fair judge? Darkness in the world? It has all happened before. A terrible judgment on the world, taking the beast's power away ... this was already accomplished when Jesus died on the cross. Our fault has been blotted out. Jesus redeemed us with His Blood. As he died, he whispered about us to Father: "Paid ... I paid for them, Abba. They belong to me."
What are we waiting for? For the meeting with the Bridegroom, for the Friend's return, for the wedding feast that God will organize for us. Christ is waiting impatiently for the Bride and the Spirit to cry out with one voice: Come!
Until Tomorrow
fr. george