Daniel 12:1-3
Hebrews 10:11-14, 18
Mark 13:24-32

The End Times

“… Today the readings direct our attention to the end of time. We are promised that if we are faithful, we shall not be destroyed. We are promised that the Archangel Michael will be there helping us. We are told that the one great sacrifice for sins has been made and we must cling to the Lord. God will gather His elect and we must be ready.”  (Monastery of Christ in the Desert – Copyright, 2021)

The liturgical church year ends next Sunday with the feast of Christ the King. The readings for this Sunday remind us of the end times that will eventually come at some unknown time. We know from Scripture that God’s deepest desire is that we will spend eternity with God and that our lives now are the pathway to that desired end. We also know that we are free at any time to reject God and our life’s purpose to be all that we can be as followers of the Christ. We also know that we sometimes miss the mark in being faithful Christians. The most hopeful message is that God is a loving and forgiving God whose mercy is always available and always welcomes us back into that loving presence.

On a sober note, the gospel tells us, “But of that day or hour, no one knows, neither the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.” We don’t know the day we will die or when the end time will come, but we do know that our daily challenge is to live each day now as if it is our last. We know as humans that we can’t make up for our own sins but that it is Jesus who takes on that role as our eternal high priest. God’s love becomes visible with the incarnation of Jesus who defeats sin so we can live with God forever. We would be very foolish to think we can wait until death is close to change our ways or ask for forgiveness. Now is the time of our salvation!

We know well what we have to do. We have to live in such a way that our lives reflect the gospel message of loving God above all else and loving our neighbor as ourselves. Is this easy? No, but the alternative is frightening if you believe in accountability. “But of that day or hour, no one knows, neither the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.” Are you ready?

How ready are you to come face to face with God?

What needs to change in your life so that you can live out the rest of your life with fidelity and love for God?