“And then they will see the ‘Son of Man coming in the clouds’ with great power and glory…”
My dentist described Americans as “nomadic people”. In reflecting on what he said, I realized that there may be some truth to this statement. I have moved five times in the course of my life – moves which were a change of address and lived in three different states. Some of these moves were done with big moving vans and others by myself with the help of family and friends. Downsizing before moving, packing, unpacking – the more moves, the better you get at it. Today’s readings are inviting us to reflect on our final move – to eternal life, with no packing required!
Jesus in speaking about the end point of time says in today’s gospel: But of that day or hour, no one knows, neither the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. St. Paul speaks about our particular judgment in 2 Cor 5:10 wrote: “For all of us must appear before Christ to be judged (and)… receive what we deserve, according to everything we have done, good or bad, in bodily life.”
Today’s gospel invites us to reflect on our own particular judgement, when we will meet Jesus at the end of our lives. We ask ourselves: What is the quality of my love and service? Have I lived a life of doing my best to love as Jesus loved, to serve as Jesus served?
Many things will change through the course of our lives, but the constant is love. Sin causes us to lose our focus on love. Now is the time to change. In the final analysis, money, power, fame, prestige will be insignificant – only love will be eternal. Our eternal God is love.
Love and service – Jesus gave us the model of how to love and how to serve The Son of Man did not come to be served; he came to serve (Mk10:45). Love one another, just as I love you. (Jn15:12)
May God bless us all always!
Deacon Mike