And he will send the angels to gather his chosen people from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of the sky.
Learn a lesson from the fig tree. As soon as its branches become tender and it begins to sprout leaves, you know that summer is near.
In the same way, when you see these things happening, know that the time is near, even at the door. Truly, I say to you, this generation will not
pass away until all this has happened. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.But, regarding that Day and that
Hour, no one knows when it will come, not even the angels, not even the Son, but only the Father.
Lectio Divina
READ: There will be fearful signs in the sky and the whole universe will be in
turmoil. These are the signs that the coming of Jesus Christ is eminent. Just as
nature gives signs as to the changing of the seasons, so too will the coming
of Christ be preceded by signs. As regards the precise date and hour, only the
Father knows and no one else.
REFLECT: The apocalyptic genre that found itself in the gospels is a style
of writing very prevalent in Jesus’ time. People understands it as symbolic
representation of the things to come. It is not a literal depiction of the future.
But some self-proclaimed prophets, or sons and daughters of God, or the angel
who would usher the apocalypse used these apocalyptic sayings in the gospel to
scare people to believe in his or her movement. Coupled with the promise that
only their members could be saved, many of the gullible are entrapped by their
words and become unthinking members of a new sect or cult that proliferated
even early on during the apostolic times. People need only to remember that
the God Jesus revealed is a loving God who does not rejoice at the punishment
of sinners. Rather, God rejoices when His creatures return after being lost for
some time. So, we need not worry about judgment day. If even Jesus the Son
of God does not know the hour and the time, why believe the countless lunatics
who predicted the end of the world and failed miserably.
RESPOND: Is our life ready to face God when judgment day comes? The best
preparation is not to fall into frantic despair but living a just life day in and day
out all the rest of our life. Today is a good day to straighten up our life so that it
may conform to God’s will now and forever.
© Copyright Bible Diary 2021