Watch: Bulletin Article (11-17-13)

               “Watch therefore, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming” (Matthew 24:42).

                As we near the end of Ordinary time, we near the end of the Liturgical year.  This is the time of year our readings at Mass will focus on the end.  Heaven, salvation, death, Christ’s second coming and good triumphing over evil are all themes that will appear.

                We do not need to fear the end for “perfect love casts out fear” (1 John 4:19).  But we do need to be ready.  Are you?

                Christ promised he would come again to earth.  He also promised to die for our sins, rise again and return to his Father.  He followed through on all three.  While the specifics of Christ’s second coming are a mystery, you can bet that he will fulfill this promise too.  If Christ came back to earth today, would you be ready to receive him?  Are there things in your life you would like to change to be better prepared?  I know there are in mine.

                While we are unsure of when Christ will come again, we can be sure that each of us will die.  We can be confident in facing our individual end because of God’s mercy for us all.  As Catholics, we have the richness of the sacraments to lead us to heaven.  I have been blessed to see men and women go to Confession, receive the Eucharist, be Anointed and receive the Apostolic Pardon at the end of their life and leave their bedside knowing they are heading upstairs for all eternity.  If you or a loved one is nearing the end, be sure to call a priest to offer the sacraments!

                We do not need to wait until we are near death’s door to receive God’s mercy.  Part of being watchful is keeping tabs on our souls.  Am I in a state of grace?  When was my last Confession?  How have I hurt God or my neighbor?  Christ desires to grant forgiveness to you now and you are one Confession away from being ready for death, Christ’s second coming or a renewal in your faith life.

                “Watch therefore -- for you do not know when the master of the house will come, in the evening, or at midnight, or at cockcrow, or in the morning—lest he come suddenly and find you asleep.  And what I say to you I say to all: Watch” (Mark 13:35-37).