December 31, 2017

Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph Genesis 15: 1-6; 21; 1-3; Hebrews 11:8, 11-12, 17-19; Luke 2: 22-40 2017 is leaving us shortly; 2018 is ready to come into our lives. The newspapers, periodicals and the social media encourage us to look back and also to look ahead. Do we do this in gratitude? God has been present to us in unbelievable ways this past year. Have I expressed my thanks for His love and presence? God has always promised that He would be with us. There would never be any moment that He isn’t with us sharing His love, care, forgiveness and grace to live and grow closer to Him. How many times do I reflect on these moments? I will try to do this in the quiet minutes that come to me Growing up, the Holy Family was presented as the ideal family. This seemed, even at my young age that missing something or a little misleading. Today we would describe them as not your typical nuclear family. This was a family of a birth mother, and an adoptive father. Yet they lived as other faith-filled families in their communities of Bethlehem, Egypt, Nazareth and the other places they stopped for a while. Scripture said they went to the temple in Jerusalem. This was a long trip, and not easy going from the hill country, down through the valleys and up into the rocky very high hills surrounding Jerusalem. They were led by their deep faith. Jesus grew in the faith and was led by the example of Mary and Joseph. In the first reading we hear of another family of faith, Abram and Sarah. They were very well connected and had been blessed by God, but they had no children. This was looked upon by the people as being a curse from God because of their sins or their family’s sins. They kept on praying and received word that they would have a child. Like every family, trials, health problems and difficulties became a part of daily living. They put their trust in God. Paul relates how Abraham obeyed when he was asked to pack up his bags, family and possessions and travel to the land God had promised them. It is always hard to move: we don’t know the people, their customs and even their native language. It takes time to develop special people to be classified as friends and faith companions. They did. Then Abraham was tested by God. We are all tested, perhaps not as severely as Abraham, but the bottom line is that God is always with us. Do we trust God? Paul writing to the Corinthians (1 Corinthians 10:13) says, “No trial has come to you but what is human. God is faithful and will not let you be tried beyond your strength; but with the trial He will also provide a way out, so that you may be able to bear it.” God is constantly helping us, gracing us to live our lives each day in trust and faith. In the Gospel we encounter two elderly people who have been waiting patiently for a long time. Abram and Sarah waited patiently. Now we hear of Simeon and Anna. Joseph and Mary come with Jesus for the purification ceremony prescribed by the Law of Moses. Simeon holds ‘hope’ in his hands and realizes it. Anna realizes that God’s promise of redemption now in Jesus has been fulfilled. Out of God’s compassion for everyone and total love and care, God becomes one of us. He ‘empties’ Himself as Paul tells the Philippians, to take on our humanity. His ministry as our Messiah teaches us how we can transform His creation into God’s people. A people totally exempted by love, forgiveness, compassion and care so that all know that they are loved by God totally. Unless they see it from us, they will never see it. So what are we to do? How are we to live our life each day in 2018? I was given this article about Pope Francis that helps so much in this. “Pope: Let go of grudges, stop whining, find joy with Jesus Dec 11, 2017 by Carol Glatz, Catholic News Service Spirituality VATICAN CITY — Christians must be strong and let go of all the bitterness and negativity that prevent them from experiencing God's consolation and joy, "So many times, we cling to what's negative, we hold on to the wound of sin inside of us, and many times, the preference is to stay there, alone," he said in his homily Dec. 11 at morning Mass in the Domus Sanctae Marthae. Instead, Jesus always tells people to "get up" and have no fear, because He is there to offer salvation, consolation and joy, the pope said. The pope's homily focused on the day's reading from Isaiah (35:1-10) in which the prophet foresaw the glory of the Lord, who will come "with vindication; with divine recompense, He comes to save you." This is why people must "strengthen the hands that are feeble, make firm the knees that are weak" and "be strong, fear not" because of the coming of the Lord, the pope said. Often it is easier, however, to console others than to let oneself be consoled because "we are afraid." "We are masters" when it comes to the negative, and impoverished "beggars" when it comes to the positive, he said. There are two things that prevent people from letting themselves find solace with God: resentment and complaints, Francis said. When people choose to be resentful and bitter, "We stew our feelings in that broth of bitterness," preferring to be left alone to sulk undisturbed and defeated, he said. Then there are people like Jonah -- "the Nobel Prize winner of complaints" -- who choose to make griping and grumbling the soundtrack accompanying their lives, he said. Francis said he once knew a priest who was a very good man, but he was "pessimism incarnate.” He said the priest would always “find the fly in the milk” that is, point out whatever was wrong or out of place. His brother priests, the pope said, would joke that instead of greeting St. Peter in heaven, this priest would probably ask to see hell and then complain, "Oh, salvation, what a mess!" because of the lack of condemned souls there. Instead, God asks people to be strong, get up and trust in Him. People need to ask themselves, "How is my heart? Do I harbor some bitterness there? Some sadness?" the pope said. And what is on one's lips, he asked. "Is it praise to God, beauty or always complaints?” So I reflect on: • Today we celebrate what it means to be family? What does family mean to me?Who makes up my family? • How has God been present to me in good times and in difficult times? How is God present now? • How can I go about dedicating my life to God? How would dedicating my life to God change the way I love in the world? Would this make it easier to live in the world? Why or why not? • How am I Jesus’ presence in the world? Sacred Space 2018 says: “Jesus comes not in splendor, but as a baby in His mother’s arms. Lord, I see You here in the vulnerable flesh of a child, a sign that will be spoken against. Already the shadow of Calvary falls on Mary as Simeon tells her that a sword will pierce her soul. Jesus, You share my humanity in every way. Like You, I want to grow and become strong, filled with wisdom. I still have miles to go before I sleep. May the favor of God be with me as with You.

December 24, 2017

 4th Sunday of Advent B 2 Samuel 7: 1-5, 8-12, 14, 16; Romans 16: 25-27; Luke 1: 26-38 With Christmas tomorrow…and so many celebrating Christmas this evening…I’m reflecting on what God has promised. This might seem very strange, but I really think we don’t realize or think about God’s promises. Maybe it’s because of fear…maybe it’s because I have a weak concept of who God is…maybe it’s that I can’t see how God can love this person that so often I am…maybe it’s because I feel that so often I have failed to be the person that I want to be and God needs me to be…so many maybe’s. In the first reading we hear how David had reached the high point of his career. His struggles with leadership are over. His battles have been concluded. He is enjoying his palace, free from worry from the surrounding countries. His thoughts are following this pattern: What Am I to do now? How about building a temple suited for the Arc of the Covenant? I am sitting in this splendid palace and the Arc rests in a simple tent. He talks to Nathan who suggests that he is the king, he is entitled to do anything he wants. Then God corrects Nathan’s mindset. The Arc of God held the stone tablets containing the Ten Commandments and symbolized God’s presence. All of David’s successes have been accomplished by God. Now David is not to build a building that houses the Arc but God will build a proper house. “Thus says the Lord: Should you build Me a house to dwell in? It was I who took you from the pasture and from the care of the flock to be commander of My people Israel…I will raise up your heir after you, sprung from your loins and I will make his kingdom firm. I will be a father to him and he shall be a son to Me.” Now the Hebrew word for house means both a dwelling place and a dynasty. God makes an everlasting promise to David, “Your house and your kingdom shall endure forever before Me; your throne shall stand firm forever.” GOD PROMISES! In the second reading Paul begins by acknowledging that God has done everything for His people. It is Jesus who has brought God’s plan to fulfillment. God’s promised time has arrived. God’s plan has been accomplished through Jesus. May God be praised now and forever. These promises include us and make us a giant part of God’s plan. The Psalm Response says, “For ever I will sing the goodness of the Lord.” Do I? Or do I look at all I have done? Is it about me or is it about God? Am I grateful? I would like to take some time and look at few of God’s promises. God just totally loves each person, no exception, all the time. That it is about God. AND His promises are TRUE. - God promised to bless Abraham, through His descendants, ”I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great so that you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you and curse those who curse you. All the communities of the earth shall find blessing in you.” (Genesis 12: 2-3) Do I realize that God is with me and I am God’s blessing to my world? - God promised Israel that He would be their God and make them His people. “Ever present in your midst, I will be your God, and you will be My people; for it is I, the Lord, your God, who brought you out of the land of the Egyptians and freed you from their slavery, breaking the yoke they had laid upon you and letting you walk erect.” (Leviticus 26: 12-13) Do I walk proud and humbled that God cares for me?

December 17, 2017

3rd Sunday of Advent B Isaiah 61: 1-2, 10-11; 1 Thessalonians 5: 16-24; John 1: 6-8, 19-28 Today on this third Sunday of Advent, we are celebrating Gaudate Sunday, or Rejoice Sunday. On this day, we light the rose candle in the Advent wreath and in some places the vestments are rose color. Let’s put this a different way using a different perspective. Am I getting in the Christmas mood? I am definitely busier. This past week I began my Christmas shopping. The first place I went was the Candle Factory in Williamsburg. I finished my shopping in under fifteen minutes. Then I waited in line for close to forty minutes to check out. Was I happy about this? I had no choice but to accept the situation. I also picked up stamps and envelopes for my annual Christmas letter. I updated this list. Am I ready? No? Am I’m rejoicing? Not yet, I guess. Am I happy? I’ve checked off a few things on my list but there is much left to do. So I look at this ‘Rejoice Sunday’ and ask, am I rejoicing? The definition of ‘rejoice’ according to Merriam Webster is “to give joy… to gladden … to feel joy or great delight.” Do I feel that I am giving joy at this time? Am I ‘joy filled’; I would have to say, I’m too busy. I ask myself another question, Am I happy? I am happy in what I’m doing. I’m happy to be a priest. I’m happy to be able to help people. I’m happy to bring the sacraments to people. I’m happy to see people excited and happy about Christmas especially our little ones. They tell me what happiness and joy is all about. Lord help me be a part of Your joy…Your love! Jeremiah contains what I feel is a tremendously important passage. He looks deeply into what is the right path to rejoicing and happiness. Jeremiah 9:22: “Thus says the Lord: Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, nor the strong man glory in his strength, nor the rich man glory in his riches; But rather, let him who glories, glory in this, that in his prudence he knows Me, Knows that I, the Lord, bring about kindness, justice and uprightness on the earth; For with such am I pleased, says the Lord” Today’s readings are insistent about rejoicing in the gifts of God; rejoicing that He constantly helps us; rejoicing that we have this time to celebrate God’s ultimate gift to us, His Son, Jesus. Isaiah shows the joy the returned exiles experienced. His vision depicts the Jubilee Year found in Leviticus 25:10 where those who have lost their land and freedom will receive all back. As a result all “will rejoice heartily in the Lord, in my God is the joy of my soul…” God is the joy of my life…He has done great things for me…we echo Paul’s, “Rejoice always”. What would it take for me to stop and reflect on God’s presence and love to me? How can I slow myself down from my busyness and look at the Manger scene or at the Crucifix or both even and see what good God has done for me? The more I take time to be grateful, the happier I will be. The more I express my thanks to God, for my life…my faith…my gifts…my family…my friends…my abilities to work, to share, to remember, to touch, to spread kindness, the more I will realize that the source of all, is our Loving God. If I don’t find time to do this these last days before Christmas, I will not rejoice. Why? Because, I’m putting the joy of Christmas in decorations, gifts, cards, festive meals, parties and the like. But the readings and life tell us that God is the source of all good. We switch gears and listen to how St. John describes John the Baptist; he does this much differently than the other gospel writers. First of all, John is never described as ‘the Baptist.’ He also is not characterized as the forerunner of Jesus. Nor is he described as a messianic figure. In John’s gospel the Baptist has one function which is to give testimony to Jesus. John says, He was not the light, but came to testify to the light.” John is sent from God. His mission is to testify ‘to the light’, to give witness to the fact that Jesus is the ‘Light of the World. A few sentences previously, John said, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the word was God…What came to be through him was life, and this life was the light of the human race; the light shines in the darkness and the darkness has not overcome it.” Word and Light both are referring to Jesus. The Jewish officials sent priests and Levites to question John trying to find out who he was and what was his mission. They probably thought that because he attracted so many people he might be the messiah or perhaps he wanted to con the people into thinking that he was the messiah. Some scripture scholars say that when this gospel was written, some disciples of John still claimed that he was the real Messiah. During all their questioning, John boldly spoke out that he was not the Messiah. John the apostle then quotes Isaiah describing the actual return of the exiles from Babylon to Jerusalem. The Lord is leading them, their road is made easy for them. It is all about God, not about John the Baptist, not about John the gospel writer, not about me or you. John the Baptist is giving witness to Jesus…much like a witness in court: ‘This happened…I know…I saw it…this is what I heard…now what are you going to do with this information?’ The Psalm response helps with this: My soul rejoices in my God”…Isaiah says, “I rejoice heartily in the Lord, in my God is the joy of my soul.” The truth is that God created each person in love. This is not about putting ourselves down or belittling ourselves. We know God’s love. It is a dominant part of each moment of every day. When we acknowledge God’s gifts to us we are pointing to God’s love. This is where we find total truth. Life is living God’s plan in love and surrounded in love. We are totally pleased and rejoice in this. Each one of us, live this plan. Fr. Louis Brisson who was the founder of the Oblate Sisters of St. Francis de sales and the Oblates of St Francis de Sales, told his communities to, ‘Reprint the Gospel, day by day, with your flesh and blood. Who are we? We are living Gospels who heal and offer liberty to people held captive in any way, by announcing God’s favor so all people can sing with Mary: ‘My soul claims the greatness of the Lord, my spirit rejoices in God my Savior.” (Luke 1: 46) So I reflect on: • How do I answer the question, ‘what or who am I in light of my faith?” • List the concrete ways I can live the words of Isaiah, as Jesus did. • What did I do concretely this week to prepare the way of the Lord in my heart and in the heart of those around me? What are my plans for next week? • Is my heart open to God, my savior? Do I feel that I have to DO something BEFORE I can RECEIVE the Lord? • How much do ‘things control my life? Would I be happier if I were to resist the lure of possessions? • Can I make this Christmas a truly spiritual happening for someone else this year? Sacred Space 2017 states: “Here are questions we can ask ourselves: Who am I? What is my purpose in God’s scheme? Lord, I think of You beside me, seeing the good and the promise in me. This is what I want to say about myself: I am called into being by God, who loves me.

December 10, 2017

 2nd Sunday of Advent B Isaiah 40: 1-5, 9-11; 2 Peter 3: 8-14; Mark 1: 1-8 What do I want from the Lord? What do I need from the Lord? Have I asked Him? Do I feel that, like the kids with Santa, that I have to be good, before God can be good to me? Does God work on a timetable…first come first served? Does it seem that way to me? Do I feel I can’t ask for big things from God?When I was a kid I went all out in my letter to Santa. I checked catalogues for additions to my Lionel Train set…I went after the best bike…and ball gloves and bats…I didn’t miss asking for everything. My list was enormous. Being the youngest of five, many times my parents were on a tight budget. They were loving and kind and we were a close family. Kids are involved in material things… God is about the spiritual, each person and love. This concept still is evolving in my life. Now I understand that God continues to send messages and messengers in my life to clear the paths that lead to Him. Am I listening as much as I should? Today’s readings help in this. “Comfort, give comfort to My people, says your God.” These first words from Isaiah today shows the prophet’s excitement. The Israelites have been in exile in Babylon for many decades following the collapse of Jerusalem. Many were imprisoned. I’m sure that many were discouraged, panicked even and had given up hope. Where was God? Why didn’t He step in and help? They weren’t bad people, why did God punish them and bring them to this foreign, pagan place? God why don’t You love us? I’ve echoed some of these words in my life when things weren’t going the way I wanted. The same sentiments carried over when I was a child when I didn’t get ALL I wanted and expected. Isaiah is giving a message guaranteed to lift the people’s spirits: they are going home, wow! The second part of the reading says that their relationship with God has been restored. Isaiah compares it to the joy of lovers on their wedding day. Now they are to be God’s representatives of peace, justice and love to the world. They are not ‘nobodies’ they are God’s children, God’s people, loved and cherished. The second reading from second Peter actually was written as late as 140 AD The Christian believers fully expected that Jesus was going to come soon and it hadn’t happened. So many of the apostles and first believers had passed on to the Lord. Many of the present community hadn’t seen Jesus nor had their parents. Their faith had been secured with these first eye-witnesses, now who was left? Persecutions had begun in various areas, some were fierce, others not so, but all were dangerous. It wasn’t good to be one of the followers of Jesus. It was prime time for many to wonder and worry. Christians were turning from their faith, urged on by what people are saying; Peter shares this in his previous paragraph. “Know this first of all, that in the last days scoffers will come to scoff, living according to their own desires and saying, ‘Where is the promise of His coming? For the time when our ancestors fell asleep, everything has remained as it was from the beginning of creation. They deliberately ignore the fact that the heavens existed of old and earth was formed out of water and through water by the word of God…” We count by days, God does not. The followers of Jesus were impatient for God’s promises of a “…new heaven and new earth…” Peter is assuring them that God always lives up to His promises…God does not lie. Everything happens in God’s time. Peter encourages them to use their time the best they can before God’s fulfillment time comes. His new creation of love is always a word in progress as is loving the loved, unloved, difficult to love is in our lives. The Gospel of Mark does not begin with an infancy narrative as do the Gospels of Matthew and Luke. John begins his Gospel with a beautiful poetic song. Instead, Mark begins with a one sentence profession of faith. “The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ the Son of God.” This says it all. God has sent Jesus for our salvation. The footnote in the Catholic Study Bible says: “The gospel of Jesus Christ the Son of God: the ‘good news’ of salvation in and through Jesus, crucified and risen, acknowledged by the Christian community as Messiah and Son of God,“ Do I live this? If I made a statement of my faith, would I include any of Mark’s thoughts? Mark tells us that everything is placed in the context of the Old Testament prophecies. John the Baptist is a prophet…he did not pop out of nowhere. He is the last of a very long list of prophets each one preparing the people for the coming promised Messiah. He tells us that John the Baptist proclaimed a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. Now this was not like our baptism…it was not a Christian baptism. It was a Jewish form of preparation for the coming of the Messiah encouraging, even commanding the people to change their lives. They have been living for themselves. They were not living the commandments. They knew the way they were to live and pray, so start doing it! Why did John attract so many people? He spoke the truth…they knew that they had messed up…they knew it was time to live the commandments. John was pointing to what was coming…what will happen… actually Who is Coming, “One mightier than I is coming after me. I am not worth to stoop and loosen the thongs of His sandals.” John’s message to me and all of us is that we still have time to change our lives. So on this second Advent Sunday I reflect on: • How can I change the things in my life that keep me away from God…from loving…from forgiving…from caring? • How can I become closer to this God who loves me every moment, even when I don’t feel that I am lovable? • Do my words and actions show that God’s love is alive and active in my life? • Do I realize that each day I am a teacher of love for all those who see me? Am I living love? • The more I remain open to the Spirit to lead me and help me, I will transform my life even if I don’t notice it. • Do I realize that I bring about God’s kingdom of love by caring for those in need and working to bring about justice and peace? • God is always with us, leading us on and welcoming us into even a closer relationship with Him. Do I allow this to happen? Why not? What holds me back? Sacred Space 2018 says: “Imagine yourself witnessing this scene, perhaps standing in the shallows with the water flowing around your ankles. Allow the scene to unfold. What is it like? The young man from Nazareth joins those waiting for John’s baptism: a symbol of purification but also of birth—coming up out of the waters of the womb into a new life as God’s beloved child. Lord, when I realize that You love me, it is like the start of a new life. As I hear Your voice, I know that I have a purpose and a destiny.”

December 3, 2017

1st Sunday of Advent B Isaiah 63: 16-17, 19; 64: 2-7; 1 Corinthians 1: 3-9; Mark 13: 33-37 The commercialism of Christmas has certainly put a damper on our liturgical season of Advent. We seem to be so absorbed with the shopping, decorating, parties, ‘being of good cheer’ that we are exhausted when Christmas comes. We can’t seem to get in touch with the Old Testament prophets who have been anticipating the coming of the Messiah for ages. The season of Advent and the readings do a wonderful job preparing us for the ‘surprising and previously unknown fact of the mystery of the ‘Word made flesh’ in a very dramatic way. Am I caught up in this excitement? Am I so bogged down in necessary preparations that distract me from God’s intense love and care for me? The best way to get in touch with the season is in the context of prayer. Can I take a little quiet time each week to read the Advent Sunday Scripture passages? How have these influenced me, changed me, made me grateful, help me understand a bit of the great mystery of God? Do I know that God loves me this much to send His Son to me, for me? An overview of the readings today on this first Advent Sunday, give us pause to reflect on the mystery of God. Some think that God comes only in dramatic ways…some think that God comes in quiet ways… and some just wonder if God ever comes to them. The bottom line is that the decision is up to God. What am I doing to be aware? What am I doing to open myself so I can be aware God is present and wants to have a relationship with me? Jesus’ last sentence in today’s Gospel sets the goal, “What I say to you, I say to all: ‘Watch!’” Isaiah states the burning question that we are struggling with this season, “Why do you let us wander, O Lord, from your ways and harden our hearts so that we fear you not?” ( The Hebrew word ‘fear’: Each Hebrew word has only one meaning but can have different applications. This word can mean ‘fear’ or ‘reverence’. Have you ever been so scared or been in the presence of something so amazing that you could feel it in your gut? This ‘feeling’ is the meaning of this word. The Hebrews were a very emotional people, and in many cases their words are describing a ‘feeling’ rather than an action.’ … I found this on Google) Now the people of Israel were appealing to God. They had been working on their spiritual lives after many years resisting God’s efforts. Now they wanted to recommit themselves to God. They are calling God “Our Father” like the Prodigal Son of the Lord’s parable. They understand now that only God can keep them safe. They understand that God can mold them, shape them like clay in a potter’s hand into something beautiful. Will they let God do this? Can we let God do this? Also the people now call themselves God’s servants. They are now willing to accept God’s plan in their lives. Is it God’s way I live by or is it my way? Is it all about God, or is it all about me? Am I looking at more things for me this Christmas? Am I doing things so that I look good to others? I cannot get in touch with God’s loving me if I am absorbed in my loving myself. Can I recommit myself this Advent? Paul is congratulating the Corinthians on the graces and spiritual gifts that the community of believers have received. Paul is confident that God will keep them strong in their faith. They have to remain open to the grace of the Holy Spirit. They have done this for a while and then these gifts ‘get into their head’ and become a source of rivalry between them. Does this happen to us? Are we so proud of how much ‘I’ have accomplished on my Christmas plans that I feel God’s coming is automatic and I will certainly know His coming? Jesus says, “What I say to you, I say to all: ‘Watch!’” AM I watching? This section of Mark’s Gospel is sometimes referred to as the ‘Little Apocalypse’. Mark is looking into uncovering the mysteries of the future, the last things: death, resurrection, judgment and the afterlife. His community was wondering when Jesus was coming again…a number of the apostles and followers who had witnessed Jesus were dying off…and Roman and Jewish persecutions were happening. His strong admonition is to ’watch and be alert’. Jesus has been talking about the coming at the end of time, including the destruction of the magnificent wonder of the world, Solomon’s Temple. No one knows when this will happen. Jesus seems to be implying very strongly that it is coming. What is the time frame when this will happen? I am inquisitive. I want to know…I would explore the house to find out what gifts I would be receiving at Christmas. There is a huge amount of works written on when the end of the world will occur. God knows…I don’t. Jesus is pointing to signs that will happen before the coming of this end day. He warns us against believing them. So how do I prepare for what I don’t know when ‘it’ is happening? Always be ready, always be alert, always watchful, and PRAY. Jesus wants us to be active in our waiting. HE wants us to look at our lives and see if we are living in conformity with the Lord or with the world. He is saying am I so engrossed with Christmas, that I might miss Him? Very, very few were aware of His coming: the shepherds and magi were and responded, no one else did. Am I aware? Am I devoting myself to realize that God wants a relationship with me…one of love? The primary purpose of prayer is to draw me closer to the Lord. This is how I become more open to receiving what God wants to give me. When I work on my spirituality of being aware, the Holy Spirit is gracing every aspect of my life. This affects the way I feel about money. It affects the way I feel about the poor and the needy. It affects that way I feel and interact with my family and friends. It affects my relationships by making me more forgiving, more caring, more loving. It affects the time I spend with the Lord of love. So I reflect on: • What small steps can I take so that I am more mindful of God’s presence? • How can I make Christ’s coming known? • Were do I need God in my life during this hectic time? Can I find time for one moment a day? • I can easily become discouraged. How much am I trusting that God is using me to bring peace and love? • Am I building up my spiritual resume? Sacred Space 2018 says: “Jesus is speaking of His second coming at the end of time. We must live so that it does not matter when He comes. Our life becomes a preparation for the vision of happiness. Do I anticipate the Lord’s coming, or do I dread it? Why do I feel as I do about this?