Dear brothers and sisters, our readings for this Sunday focus on the end time, the second coming of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. The prophet Daniel in the first reading said: “Many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake; some shall live forever, others shall be an everlasting horror and disgrace. But the wise shall shine brightly like the splendor of the firmament, and those who lead the many to justice shall be like the stars forever.”
The Psalmist said, “You shall show me the path to life, fullness of joys in your presence, the delights at your right hand forever”
Jesus, talking about the last days declared, a time will come when the sun will be darkened, the moon will not give its light and stars will fall from the sky. Then we shall see ‘the Son of man coming in the clouds’ with great power and glory and he will send his angels to gather the elect from all around the world.
When will this take place? Jesus said, “But of that day or hour, no one knows, neither the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.”
Dear friends in Christ to know the exact day or hour of the coming of Christ is not important. What is of utmost importance is that we all be ready. The gospel acclamation from Luke 21:36 said, “Be vigilant at all times and pray and have the strength to stand before the Son of man.”
To be vigilant means to avoid being complacent in lifestyle. It means to live a responsible life. Do not be carried away by the values of the world. Be prayerful, by the power of the grace of God given to us in the Sacraments, we should strive to be obedient to the commandments of God. Strive to live in holiness and live a life of love of God and neighbor.
We must persevere in living wisely as we await the second coming of our Savior. Living in such a way as if he is coming today. To be ready for his second coming, the day and hour which is unknown, requires us to be walking on the path of life. It means to persevere in a life centered on Christ Jesus, the way, the truth and the life.
Jesus told us some weeks ago that if your right hand is leading you to sin, cut it off. In that teaching, Jesus wants us to be serious in combating and fighting vices and sins. To continue to seek the path of repentance, conversion and renewal of our lives. To be ready for the second coming of our Lord Jesus, is to continue to carry out our daily and legitimate work, in faithful prayer, active participation in the Sacraments of the Church, and dedicated to the practice of nourishing our souls, minds and hearts with the living Word of God.