Last week we heard numerous readings from near the end of Matthew’s Gospel where Jesus exhorted His disciples to stay awake. In today’s first reading from 1 Thessalonians 4, St. Paul explains why. In the Gospel reading today, we begin a journey through the Gospel of Luke. We pick up in chapter 4 where Jesus begins His public ministry by proclaiming a Scripture passage from Isaiah has been fulfilled.
St. Paul says, “For the Lord himself, with a word of command, with the voice of an archangel and with the trumpet of God, will come down from heaven, and the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. Thus we shall always be with the Lord.”
It can be a scary thought, right? Jesus coming back to take His own with him. It’s not a matter of if, but when. We hear again and again that Jesus will say to some, “I never knew you.” Even to those who thought they were part of His company. That’s why we need to renew our faith in Christ every moment of every day. So rather than worrying or trying to predict when Jesus will return, let’s just make sure that we’re ready…right this very moment.
Father, we give ourselves fully and completely to you today, through your Son Christ Jesus. Amen.
0 comments