+ Stay awake! For you do not know when the Son of Man will come. These two phrases come from the gospel passage every year on this day, and I always get the same reaction when preparing the homily: it's
still August, barely, and already this reading makes us think of the first two Sundays of Advent which are not for another four months – when we consider the second coming of Jesus, as the first part of that season's introductory period!
But, on the other hand, it is always, a good time to hear about the second coming of Jesus – because it really could happen at any time – at all! Hopefully, each and every year, if we have tried to follow along with the spiritual growth program that the parish tries to provide, we will be that much better prepared in case it happens, today. And if we have supplemented this by our own increase of personal prayer, study, reflection and sharing of our faith with others – then we will be even more prepared.
But if we have learned the absolute necessity of translating all the prayer and reading, and worship and rosaries, and confessions and time spent in the Adoration Chapel (next door) (next to St. John's Church) – into selfless, loving service to others who are in need: a real concrete getting out of ourselves and our comfort zones and actually volunteering to help in any number of ways, in any number of venues including our own church and parish – then we will really be ready!
Happy the person the Lord finds "watching in action'- the action of helping someone else who has a true need at that particular time…he will be welcomed into the joy of the Lord forever………but the lazy ones will find out what wailing and grinding of teeth really means! It's up to us!
Make your pastor proud of you because of your faith and good works, like St. Paul was so pleased with the Corinthians at the outset of his relationship with them because of their amazing Christian faith, witness, but most of all practice!
If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts!
Amen!
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