Beloved friends in Christ,
As we approach the final days of the liturgical year, the Church invites us to reflect on the second coming of Christ, when He will return in glory to judge the living and the dead, as we profess in the Creed. This moment will arrive after a period of tribulation. How do we prepare for this time, known only to the Father? What should we do during this waiting period? How do we anticipate the parousia, the day of the Lord?
We must stay the course and live every moment anticipating His return. We mark this time by remaining vigilant. "Be vigilant at all times and pray that you have the strength to stand before the Son of Man" (Luke 21:36). Perseverance in faith is the most essential form of vigilance. The early Christians faced suffering and persecution with courage and patience, longing for the day of the Lord when God would grant them resurrection to new life. We should follow their example by enduring our suffering and adversity with the hope of heavenly rewards. If we persevere in faith, Christ will prepare us to be ready and worthy of His everlasting kingdom.
We should be mindful that the fullness of God's kingdom is not to be found in this world. Despite progress in civilization, science, medicine, politics, and all human affairs, they will not bring about human fulfillment. There will still be problems of evil, sin, and death. But with our hope placed in Christ, we can bear all things. Christ is our hope. We keep vigil for his coming by living in this hope that will not fail us, the hope of seeing Christ in his glory at the end of time. Let's keep our faith and get the reward of this hope at his return in glory.
In Christ, our Hope,
Fr. Bernard Alayode, OP
As we approach the final days of the liturgical year, the Church invites us to reflect on the second coming of Christ, when He will return in glory to judge the living and the dead, as we profess in the Creed. This moment will arrive after a period of tribulation. How do we prepare for this time, known only to the Father? What should we do during this waiting period? How do we anticipate the parousia, the day of the Lord?
We must stay the course and live every moment anticipating His return. We mark this time by remaining vigilant. "Be vigilant at all times and pray that you have the strength to stand before the Son of Man" (Luke 21:36). Perseverance in faith is the most essential form of vigilance. The early Christians faced suffering and persecution with courage and patience, longing for the day of the Lord when God would grant them resurrection to new life. We should follow their example by enduring our suffering and adversity with the hope of heavenly rewards. If we persevere in faith, Christ will prepare us to be ready and worthy of His everlasting kingdom.
We should be mindful that the fullness of God's kingdom is not to be found in this world. Despite progress in civilization, science, medicine, politics, and all human affairs, they will not bring about human fulfillment. There will still be problems of evil, sin, and death. But with our hope placed in Christ, we can bear all things. Christ is our hope. We keep vigil for his coming by living in this hope that will not fail us, the hope of seeing Christ in his glory at the end of time. Let's keep our faith and get the reward of this hope at his return in glory.
In Christ, our Hope,
Fr. Bernard Alayode, OP
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