The other day while I was in my chapel for the afternoon holy hour, the phone rang. When I answered, my friend, Father Curtis, said “Bill, will you come to dinner tonight? We are having burgers, brats, corn, and chips. Fr. Greg and I would really like you to come!” Not one to pass up a good cheeseburger, I said “I would be happy to come.”
Fr. Greg met me at the door and took me into the living room. To my surprise, I found Chip and Dale (the professionals who flipped houses), Jack and Jill with their children, Charles and Sally, Carl and Steve (the medics who were first responders especially to victims of drug overdose), and the twins, Tom and Jerry (the certified social workers working with recent immigrants settling in the community). They all said with one voice “Hi, Fr. Bill, welcome!” Flabbergasted, I pinched myself to make sure I was alive. “It’s not my birthday. What’s up?” Fr. Curtis came in the room and said “We’ll talk later. Now it’s time to eat!”
Conversation was spirited and friendly. After everyone had eaten and polished off desert, Fr. Curtis began. “There is unrest in the community. Bill, we know that you spend many hours in prayer and penance every day as our hermit. We know that you have a special connection with Jesus. You talk with him daily and he talks to you. You have made Jesus the focus of your life as you have taught us to do.” Fr. Curtis took a breath and continued. “Lots of things are changing quickly now and we can’t quite put our finger on how or why. You know what I mean – little shifts that start to add up over time. Some in the community think that the end is coming and are alarmed. Books are being written now predicting the imminent coming of the Lord. Many welcome the change, while others resist and reject all the changes, reminding us that Jesus tells us that no one knows the day or hour that the Lord is to come in judgment of the world. So, when you pray, please ask Jesus to help us to understand his holy will. It certainly looks like the end is coming and we want to be awake and ready.” I responded, “Certainly, I will pray and talk with Jesus. But I am not a prophet and am no better than any of you. You have the same chance to speak with Jesus that I have. I expect that you will also pray with me!”
We are all searching while coping with the many changes in today’s society. Things don’t look so good, pessimistically speaking. But let’s be optimistic. The Sacred Liturgy deals with change and signs that confront us. Jesus talked with the disciples telling them about the trial and tribulation which will come at the end of time. Yes, it scares us a little. The Son of God, Jesus, will come on clouds with great power and glory. He will send angels to awaken the dead; and the day of judgment will take place. We should be worried if we have not paid attention to the warning from Christ, to watch, stay awake and prepare. The prophet, Daniel, had special visions and insights into the future. He told us that when the Lord comes, resurrection will take place and some would live forever because their name is to be found written in the Book of Living; while others will be an everlasting horror and disgrace – their names not in the Book of the Living.
What are we to do? Listen carefully. Even though Jesus warns us to pay attention and be ready, we are easily distracted. Let’s face it; we are not seriously expecting the end of time to come any time soon – certainly not in our lifetime! What we do know for sure is that Jesus is present to us in many ways. As baptized persons, Jesus is within us, covering us with his mercy and love. Yet, we are easily distracted pursuing our happiness without Christ. We pursue wealth, pleasure, dominance over others and even being famous like movie stars, great athletes and the like. Sadly, we fail to acknowledge his holy presence. Well, we do seek him at least once a week on Sunday. Life goes on as we procrastinate saying to ourselves, there is always tomorrow!
How do we get ready for our own death as well as the end of time when we will have to give account for what we have or have not done in this life? There are four things to reckon with: death, judgment, heaven, and hell. Some of us die soon simply because we are so old and know time is running out. Also, we know that we will be judged when we die. Yet, we will take our chance that God will be understanding and with divine patience show us lenience. We want to be found worthy of heaven and not be sent to everlasting death – hell. Jesus gives us many hints and encourages us to stay awake and be prepared. He said, “Repent and know that the Kingdom of God is at hand.” Repent means change and stop playing games with God. With a little humility, what can we do? Look at Jesus on the cross, and say to Him “Lord, I am a sinner. This is what I am, this is what I have done. So, I give you, my sins. See the good that I have done.” In turn Jesus says: “Yes, I love you. I accept your sins; See I am on the cross dying for you. Remain with me on the cross, and I will lift you up into my life. Believe and all will be well!” God be blessed! Now and forever. Amen.