2 John 4-9,
Psalm 119: 1.2.10.11.17. I b,
What Will Happen on the Last Day?
Brethren, every year, towards the end of the liturgical year, the mother Church gives us a chance to reflect on the Readings concerning the last things, the end of times when the Son of Man will come back to judge the living and the dead. We profess this in the in the Creed every Sunday, but do we really take it seriously: “I believe in Jesus Christ…(who) is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty. From there, he will come to judge the living and the dead." From last Sunday, the readings are putting us in the reflection about the end of the times. These warnings are not there to frighten or instill fear in us but to help us to prepare well for the day with the knowledge of knowing what will happen on that day. On that day, there will be no I never knew. Those who will not be prepared for that day, their song will be, “had I known.” It is here and now to prepare.
In this Gospel passage, Jesus compared the moment of judgment to a time of definitive separation, like in the times of Noah. Those who chose to heed and follow the voice of the Lord were gathered into the ark and saved from perishing. He also compared it to the times of Lot. Those who continued in their daily routines (eating and drinking, marrying wives and husbands, buying and selling, planting and building) without taking heed were left to perish. It is a hard lesson, but one that calls us to an examination of conscience. Shall it not be the same with us? Those who take Jesus' teachings and warnings seriously and do God's will, will not perish, but those who do not bother to listen to Jesus and his will, will perish to eternal damnation. Do we believe what we profess? How do we live in anticipation of the coming of the Son of Man?
What will happen on that day? As we have seen, it will be like the time of Noah and Lot, but also, many things will happen on that day. Nobody will have time to look for his possessions or savings, we are going with nothing, two will be in one bed: one will be taken, the other left; two women will be grinding corn together: one will be taken, and the other left. These look frightening but they will happen.
What does Jesus mean when he says that one person will be taken and another left? God judges everyone individually on how each person has responded to his gracious mercy and invitation to accept his Son as Lord and Ruler over all. The Lord Jesus gives us personal freedom to accept or reject him as Lord and Savior. We are free to live as citizens of his kingdom or to choose for the kingdom of darkness that stands in opposition to God and his rule. No one can pass off their personal responsibility to someone else - no matter how close the ties may be in this present life. We will each have to give an account to the Judge of All for how we have accepted or rejected him as our Lord and Saviour.
We must therefore heed to the warning. It is easy to believe that you always have tomorrow to change, and so you give into temptation today. And then tomorrow comes, and the temptation is once again embraced with the thought that you will work on it tomorrow, and henceforth. St Augustine says that God has promised forgiveness to those who repent, but he has not promised you tomorrow that your will say, I will repent tomorrow. We can easily go about perpetuating our sins and embracing our temptations while we have the ongoing good intention of changing tomorrow. This is a mistake, and we may end up like those in Noah's and Lot's time.
This is because: it always remains a possibility that our Lord will indeed come today and that today truly will be the end of the world. Or it always remains a distinct possibility that your life will come to an end today, suddenly and unexpectedly. If those were to happen, would you be fully ready to stand before the judgement seat of Christ? Most people would not, at least not fully ready. Thus, this should be motivation enough to work tirelessly today to be ready now and every moment hereafter.
when we sin, not heed to Jesus' teachings, give in to temptation, and become indifferent like the people of Noah's and Lot's time, then we are preparing ourselves for eternal damnation when Jesus comes. However, the good news is that when we go astray and come back to Jesus, He will welcome us back. He gives us his Holy Spirit to lead and guide us in order to avoid sin and to give us Wisdom so that we prepare wisely for the last day. Let us repent always and work for eternal life and happiness. The last day is Good News to those who have prepared for it and bad news to those who didn't for they will go into eternal damnation. Those whose hope is firmly anchored in heaven will not be disappointed when the day of final judgement comes. They rejoice even now that their names are written in heaven (Luke 10:20) and they look with eager longing for the day when they will see the Lord face to face (Revelation 22:4). Is your hope firmly placed in the Lord Jesus and his return in glory?
Let us Pray
Lord Jesus, help me to never lose sight of the goal of heaven that I may live each day in joyful anticipation of your return in glory. Amen
Be blessed.
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