Sunday Reflections: The Second Coming of Christ

Sunday Reflections: The Second Coming of Christ

My dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

Our readings from Daniel 12:1-3, Hebrews 10:11-14,18, and Mark 13:24-32 paint a vivid picture of the glorious and terrifying event of Christ's second coming.

Daniel 12:1-3 speaks of a time of great tribulation, a time when “many shall purify themselves and make themselves white and refine themselves.”

Hebrews 10:11-14,18 reminds us that Christ's sacrifice once and for all has ushered in a new covenant, a better covenant, and that He will come again to bring about the final consummation of all things.

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Mark 13:24-32, in his Gospel, warns us to be vigilant, for we do not know the day or hour of the Lord's return. “And then they will see the Son of man coming in clouds with great power and glory.”

Drawing from these and other Scriptures, we see that Christ's second coming will be a twofold event: the Parousia, His visible return in glory, and the final judgment.

In the Parousia, Christ will come with power and majesty to judge the living and the dead, to reward the righteous and punish the wicked. This event will mark the end of time as we know it and the beginning of eternity.

The final judgment, which follows the Parousia, will be a personal judgment in which each individual will be judged according to their deeds and their relationship with Christ.

Sunday Reflections: The Second Coming of Christ

Those who have lived in faith and love will be welcomed into the eternal kingdom of God, while those who have rejected God's grace will be condemned to eternal punishment.

The exact time of Christ's return is unknown so we should always be prepared for His coming. We are called to live our lives in a state of constant readiness, trusting in God's promises and striving to live according to His will.

As St. Paul reminds us, “Therefore, be vigilant at all times, praying that you may have the strength to escape all these things that are going to happen, and to stand before the Son of Man.” (Luke 21:36)

In the meantime, we are called to be witnesses to Christ in the world, sharing the Good News of salvation with others.

We are to be instruments of God's love and mercy, bringing hope and healing to those who are suffering.

Let us embrace the challenge of living as disciples of Christ, knowing that our reward awaits us in the eternal kingdom.

In the words of our Lord, “Keep awake, for you do not know when the Lord of the house is coming, in the evening, or at midnight, or at cockcrow, or in the morning. Beware lest he come suddenly and find you asleep. And what I say to you I say to all: Keep awake.” (Mark 13:35-37)

May God bless you all.