The First Sunday of Advent - Matthew 24:37-44
Today’s Gospel tells the story of
what happened in the time of Noah. Jesus says: “As for the exact day or
hour, no one will know it, neither the angels in heaven nor the Son, but God
alone knows the time.” Jesus then warns the people: “The coming of the
Son of Man will repeat what happened during Noah’s time. In the days
before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and being married,
right up to the day Noah entered the ark. They were unconcerned until the
flood came and destroyed them.”
Jesus then says: “So it will be at
the coming of the Son of Man.” He then gives examples of what will happen at
that time: “Two men will be in a field; one will be taken and the other will be
left. Two women will be grinding their meal; one will be taken and the
other will be left behind.” Jesus then pauses and say to His listeners: “Stay
awake! You do not know the day your Lord is coming.” Jesus adds:
“Be sure of this, if the owner of a house knew when a thief was coming, he
would be watchful and prepared. You also must be prepared. The Son
of Man is coming when you least expect it.”
None of us when “our time” will
come. Perhaps this is a blessing! This reading reminds us of our
responsibility: what happens to us after we die is determined by how we lead
our lives each and every day. In many
ways, we are the ones who decide what our “afterlife” will be. If we live
a good life, loving God, Jesus, and the Spirit and if we strive to be loving
and kind every day and share our time, gifts and talents with others, when we
die, we likely will go to heaven.
We cannot wait until the last
minute. What is the pattern of your
life? Do you share your time, talents and attention with other
people? Do you share your gifts and love with your family, the people you
work with, with your neighbors or even people you do not know? If we
choose to do these things, after our death we will be in God’s loving presence!
No comments:
Post a Comment