Bulletin Letter for November 14

As we all know, the civil year comes to an end on December 31^st.  But are we aware that the Church follows a calendar of her own, complete with seasons and holidays?  In two weeks we will be celebrating the first Sunday of Advent, beginning the time of preparation for the celebration of Christmas, as well as the new liturgical year.  As the old year comes to an end the readings at Mass begin to focus on the end of the world, and our ultimate destiny.  There is much confusion today over what we believe as Catholics about the end times and the second coming of Jesus.  That is what I hope to clarify this week.

        
The most important thing that Jesus tells us about his second coming is that no one knows when it will happen (Mt. 24:36), therefore we must always be ready (Mt. 24:44).  We need to live today as if it were our last day on earth, but at the same time as if we will live a full lifetime of years.  There will be “wars and reports of wars” (Mt. 24:6), but we should not take these troubles as signs of the end.  Humanity has been broken by sin, and while we are called to work and pray for peace, wars and insurgencies will happen, as will natural disasters and epidemics.  Because we can never be sure when He will return, we should always be ready by examining our conscience and celebrating the Sacrament of Reconciliation frequently, and by serving Christ in our neighbor always.

        
As for what will happen when Christ does come again, Scripture is clear.  Jesus will return and the dead will rise first, and then those who are living will be gathered up with Him (1 Thes. 4:15-18; Mat. 24:31).  There will be no mistaking Jesus’ return.  There will be no doubt about His presence here on earth.  All will be taken up at once.  While there are signs that Jesus tells us to look for, they are not as unusual as we many think.  Various ages have experienced savage wars, deadly epidemics, drastic climate changes, persecutions and even strange signs in the sky.  These generations thought that theirs was the last age and that Jesus was coming soon.  But these tribulations passed, and life continued.  The answer is not to ignore these things when they happen, but, rather, not to be disturbed by them.  Our faith is in Christ, and whether he comes tomorrow or in a thousand years we have nothing to fear if we are prepared.