As we come to the end of the liturgical year, we will be hearing end of the times
stories and readings from the Scriptures, reminding us that Christian discipleship is, in the final analysis, a journey back to the Father. As everything came from God, so everything will also go back to Him (exitus – reditus). Listening and reflecting on the readings today, especially with the vivid and disconcerting images of earthquakes, famines and signs from the sky in the Gospel, I could not help but be reminded about the recent calamities in the Philippines. Just a week or so ago, there was a massive and powerful earthquake that claimed lives and destroyed and flattened a few places in Southern Philippines.
As I reflect on the Gospel this weekend and with the various defining world events, it made me ponder on the most important things in life and the stark temporariness of material things that, at times, separate and alienate us from other people, even from our own families. Calamities can happen anywhere – and no one can be spared – both the poor and the rich – and, if our values aren’t set right and our priorities aren’t properly ordered – most especially without that firm and personal relationship with God— life would be meaningless. Storms can flatten the most beautiful and colossal churches, but they can never destroy a firm faith. Material things can be rebuilt, but to rise beyond any kind of rubble, whether physical or emotional, one needs a steadfast and persevering faith.
This anticipation of the second coming of Jesus is what we celebrate every year in the season of Advent, which we will be entering into two weeks from now. But, it’s also very clear that no one really knows when this is going to happen. As Jesus tells his disciples in the gospel, “no one knows the day or the hour.” It will come like a thief in the night. This means that we always need to prepare ourselves for this big event, always mindful that at any time Christ will come again in his glory. But, unlike the other doomsday predictions, the second coming of Christ must not be met with fear and trepidation but, rather, with joyful anticipation because it’s on that day that the fullness of everything that we celebrate here in the liturgy will be realized. What we have here in this world, everything that we enjoy and hold on to will all come to pass – they all have their life spans – but this reality isn’t something we are afraid of because we know that this world is just a stopover. This is what we mean with Christian hope. The hope that gives us the assurance that when everything is all said and done, there is more than what our eyes can see and what our ears can hear. And, this “more” is eternal life with God. But, one shouldn’t view heaven or eternal life with God as a prize at the end of our faith journey. In fact, it starts here in our earthly dwelling because we already share in the life of Christ through the life of the Church and our participation in the sacraments. God doesn’t just meet us at the end of our journey, but He is already with us right now; in fact, God is closer to us than we to ourselves. How is this coming of Christ or God’s presence reflected in our own lives? Do we allow God to dwell in us and allow him to transform us anew?
So, if you are beset with any kind of storm right now in your lives, whether it be in relationships, finances, work or health or if you feel that it’s the end of the world for you, let this be our prayer: “Lord, your love for us is more than enough for us to face all storms. With you dear Lord, we will look at the face of death and remain steadfast and unafraid because your love is stronger than death.” Amen. – Fr. Cary