We are living between the first and the second coming of the Lord. As Christians we believe in this second coming of the Lord. We profess it more than once during the sacrifice of the mass, especially during the Creed, which is our profession of faith, and the Acclamations during the Eucharistic prayers.
In the Creed we profess a belief in a judgement awaiting us. During this judgement we will come face to face with the evil effects of our sins, we will acknowledge the many times we could have done good and let them slip by, and of course we will see the good that we have done. In this judgement we will face all that we would have done if we got a second chance at life. And we do have this second chance! A chance at preparing for our judgement. A second chance at preparing for our death.
Jesus reminds us that nothing is permanent in this world and that we should live with one eye on the End so that we make good use of this second chance. Let us bear in mind that the Lord’s first coming, our present age and the Lord’s second coming, are one act: the Lord’s saving act of the world. We are presently at the second stage of this saving act and we should be actively preparing ourselves for the third and final stage: the Lord’s second coming when the resurrection of us all will take place, followed by our general judgement.
In the meantime, living between the two comings of the Lord, we must be aware that there is a great battle raging on. It is the battle between good and evil which is becoming more and more intense. If we take a look around us we can see that family life is disintegrating, we can notice a blatant disrespect for life, we can observe that the priesthood is being seen in a negative way and that some members in the priesthood have disregarded their views and duties. We can also see the good that many people are doing. We see people being involved in voluntary work where they help others in need. We see people who attend prayer groups and other meetings and commit themselves to live what they believe. The battle keeps raging on till the Lord’s second coming when evil will be conquered once and for all.
Our role is to allow Jesus to have more control over our lives. We allow Jesus to have more room in our lives by spending time with him in prayer. We allow our Lord to have more control over our lives when we live according to his teachings and values. In this way we will be tipping the scales in favour of Jesus and his victory.
We have a second chance at living according to our Lord’s values, and the time is now. Are we making good use of this second chance?
In the Creed we profess a belief in a judgement awaiting us. During this judgement we will come face to face with the evil effects of our sins, we will acknowledge the many times we could have done good and let them slip by, and of course we will see the good that we have done. In this judgement we will face all that we would have done if we got a second chance at life. And we do have this second chance! A chance at preparing for our judgement. A second chance at preparing for our death.
Jesus reminds us that nothing is permanent in this world and that we should live with one eye on the End so that we make good use of this second chance. Let us bear in mind that the Lord’s first coming, our present age and the Lord’s second coming, are one act: the Lord’s saving act of the world. We are presently at the second stage of this saving act and we should be actively preparing ourselves for the third and final stage: the Lord’s second coming when the resurrection of us all will take place, followed by our general judgement.
In the meantime, living between the two comings of the Lord, we must be aware that there is a great battle raging on. It is the battle between good and evil which is becoming more and more intense. If we take a look around us we can see that family life is disintegrating, we can notice a blatant disrespect for life, we can observe that the priesthood is being seen in a negative way and that some members in the priesthood have disregarded their views and duties. We can also see the good that many people are doing. We see people being involved in voluntary work where they help others in need. We see people who attend prayer groups and other meetings and commit themselves to live what they believe. The battle keeps raging on till the Lord’s second coming when evil will be conquered once and for all.
Our role is to allow Jesus to have more control over our lives. We allow Jesus to have more room in our lives by spending time with him in prayer. We allow our Lord to have more control over our lives when we live according to his teachings and values. In this way we will be tipping the scales in favour of Jesus and his victory.
We have a second chance at living according to our Lord’s values, and the time is now. Are we making good use of this second chance?
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