"AND THEN THEY WILL SEE THE SON OF MAN COMINGIN A CLOUD WITH GREAT POWER AND GLORY."
Today we begin a new liturgical year, the spiritual journey in which we relive the wonders the Lord has done for all mankind and do our best to respond to His love. We begin this journey with the season of Advent, a season in which we recall the fundamental truth of Christ’s Second Coming in glory, and we prepare to commemorate His first coming in the humility of the Incarnation.
At the same time, while professing our faith in the glorious coming of the Lord at the end of time and while preparing our hearts to celebrate the wonder of Christmas, we are also reminded of Christ’s constant coming into our lives through the Sacraments and our neighbor.
As we are about to begin this Eucharist, let us ask the Lord for the grace to be always ready to welcome him at any time with a heart full of trust, hope, and love.
At the same time, while professing our faith in the glorious coming of the Lord at the end of time and while preparing our hearts to celebrate the wonder of Christmas, we are also reminded of Christ’s constant coming into our lives through the Sacraments and our neighbor.
As we are about to begin this Eucharist, let us ask the Lord for the grace to be always ready to welcome him at any time with a heart full of trust, hope, and love.
Jesus said to his disciples: “There will be signs in the sun, the moon, and the stars, and on earth nations will be in dismay, perplexed by the roaring of the sea and the waves. People will die of fright in anticipation of what is coming upon the world, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. And then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.
But when these signs begin to happen, stand erect and raise your heads because your redemption is at hand.
Beware that your hearts do not become drowsy from carousing and drunkenness and the anxieties of daily life, and that day catch you by surprise like a trap. For that day will assault everyone who lives on the face of the earth. Be vigilant at all times and pray that you have the strength to escape the tribulations that are imminent and to stand before the Son of Man.”
But when these signs begin to happen, stand erect and raise your heads because your redemption is at hand.
Beware that your hearts do not become drowsy from carousing and drunkenness and the anxieties of daily life, and that day catch you by surprise like a trap. For that day will assault everyone who lives on the face of the earth. Be vigilant at all times and pray that you have the strength to escape the tribulations that are imminent and to stand before the Son of Man.”
