Friday 13 November
Luke 17:26-37
When it comes to religion and faith we tend to be more comfortable with the here and now than with the world to come and the end things, i.e. death, judgement, heaven, hell and the second coming. These are topics that many of us feel very uncomfortable with – and not only us but many bishops, priests and deacons as well. When, for example, did you last hear a sermon on heaven, hell, judgement or the second coming? Why is this? What’s the problem? Why the reluctance? Why the discomfort?
The Bible displays no such reluctance or discomfort. Today, millions upon millions of people around the world who either attend Mass or read the Gospel set for us in the liturgy will come into direct contact with teaching about Jesus’ return to earth – his second coming. This passage from Luke’s Gospel is, in fact, especially pertinent because in it Jesus gives a stark warning against being so caught up in the day-to-day business of ‘eating and drinking, buying and selling, planting and building’ (v. 28 NIV) that we lose sight of the truth that our life could come to a very sudden and unexpected end.
One reason why some people want to steer clear of the topic of Jesus’ second coming is because of the danger of falling into setting dates and times and such like. The Church has never and will never give dates and times, because it cannot – it does not know nor can it know. There are, however, two rock-solid facts which we do know: we are all going to die and face the Lord; Jesus’ return is as certain as his death and resurrection. Believing these facts, the renewed heart of faith longs for, prays for and even groans for Jesus’ return.
Since Jesus’ ascension into heaven the prayer of the Church has been, ‘Come, Lord Jesus, come’, as befits the Bride of Christ. We all want the kingdom of God to be established on earth but the kingdom can only finally and ultimately come with Jesus’ return. ‘The kingdom will be fulfilled...not by a historic triumph of the church through a progressive ascendency, but only by God’s victory over the final unleashing of evil, which will cause the Bride to come down from heaven’ (Catechism of the Catholic Church 677).
‘Since the Ascension Christ’s coming in glory has been imminent.’ (Catechism of the Catholic Church 673)
Luke 17:26-37
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