By Rev. Glenn JonesIn the Catholic Church, we are nearing the end of our liturgical year, which is to reflect our hope and faith in Jesus’ Second Coming and the fulfillment of God’s kingdom. Thus, in our Gospel reading this weekend, we read of Jesus saying of humanity: “…they will see ‘the Son of Man coming in the clouds’ with great power and glory, and then he will send out the angels and gather his elect…” … the “elect”, of course, meaning those who follow the Word of God—which Jesus Christ IS—and seek to do God’s will in their lives.
This Gospel reading dovetailed nicely with our reading from Daniel: “…your people shall escape, everyone who is found written in the book…” …itself dovetailing with the book of Revelation where we read: “…another book was opened, which is the book of life. And the dead were judged by what was written in the books, by what they had done” (Revelation 20:12) … names penned in that book with the ink of love of God … love of neighbor.
You know … one of the things strongly emphasized to us in Marine boot camp was a sense of urgency—moving quickly with purpose. To move slowly or ineffectively would inevitably lead to the close “personal attention” meted out by one or more drill instructors. Singularly unpleasant … yet most memorable, and inevitably corrective.
This sense of urgency of something that Jesus, the apostles and the saints continually stressed, for as Jesus reminds us in many places in the Gospels, “…you know neither the day nor the hour.” Whether we are at work in a couple of twin towers in New York City, or were living our daily lives in Paradise Hills, CA, or simply driving a car on a highway, we must always be prepared. Thus the urgency of fidelity.
This was brought home to me yet again as I returned from a quick trip to Texas the other day to see family … on the Indianapolis I-40 between Clines Corner and Moriarty. Road workers were patching a pothole in the right lane of a steep curve. One little sign a few hundred yards before … no cones, no lights, little warning.
An 18-wheeler pulled out suddenly into the left lane in front of me, coming almost to a stop … but in plenty of time for me to slow down. Yet I watched helplessly in my rearview mirror as a car, behind me several hundred yards away, barreling in at full speed … not slowing down … driver’s head down as though texting … myself trapped … truck in front, and truck and guardrail to each side. “Please look up, young lass” is the printable version of my thoughts at that moment.
Gracias a Dios, she finally did … and slammed on the brakes. But … the “day and hour” might have come that quickly and unexpectedly … for me and for her. One moment singing along with Johnny Horton (“In 1814 we took a little trip…”) … and the next, singing (hopefully) Alleluia Chorus with angels.
We tend to “put off” … to procrastinate … in our seeking greater devotion to God and adherence to His will. Simply in doing the right and the good. But at some point … every one of the elect—of God’s chosen—has grit his teeth and said: “No more of this! I WILL be faithful to God!!”
This is the self-control and self-mastery that the apostles and saints remind us are essential for holiness … as we remember the book of Wisdom: “…if any one loves righteousness, her labors are virtues; for she teaches self-control and prudence, justice and courage; nothing in life is more profitable for men than these.” (Wisdom 8:7)
What happens when we make that determination to walk the path of God rather than live in slavery to our sensual nature? The former adulterer brings joy to his family … his/her children and spouse greater security and happiness. He/she no longer “has” to deceive.
The former substance abuser brings hope and joy to his family and friends, as they no longer have to endure his thefts to buy drugs or booze … as he becomes a better and reliable person.
The abuser is no longer feared, but loved. The irascible controls his anger and gains (perhaps RE-gains) friends and family. There is simply nothing NOT good which comes from adhering more closely to God in all things. Even the non-Christian will recognize the goodness in these things.
Mastery over the self-ISH whims of the body elevates and promotes the self-LESS joy of the soul. But today is the time to change. As Jesus warns us, tomorrow may be too late. Salvation is that unscheduled train that comes only once, so we must always be in the station. For, as the old saying goes: the road to Hell is paved with good intentions. Yet … the road to Heaven is underlain with faith and hope in Jesus Christ … paved with devotion, obedience and good works.
Yes … Jesus warns us it is a hard road … contrary to the ways of the world … wearying in always having to swim upstream against cultural current. But look to the destination rather than to the road … and know that our eternal rest, joy and love reside at the end of our journey … again, remembering the book of Wisdom: “Those who trust in him will understand truth, and the faithful will abide with him in love, because grace and mercy are upon his elect, and he watches over his holy ones.” (Wisdom 3:9)
So let us spend our short time well and according to the good, that we may hear in that unknown day and hour: “Come, O blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world…” (Matthew 25:34)