Glory be to Jesus Christ!
“I’ll be back.” This phrase as made popular by the Arnold Schwarzenegger movie The Terminator (and even more in the second movie, called “Judgement Day” no less.) The story promises a dystopoian future and a war with evil machines sent to kill the small remaining society of people.
People love “end of the world” movies, books, stories, you name it. It is part of the human condition to realize that there is an end to which we are headed, that life on this planet is vectorial- it has a purpose or destination. In the Gospel today, Our Lord outlines some of the terrific (as in terrifying) things which will take place when He will “be back.”
What we need to remember most when thinking about and discussing our Lord’s Second Coming is first and foremost that the Lord is returning in glory– He has already won. He is not returning in the same “undercover mission” manner when He comes back, but as Judge of the universe.
Secondly, that He is coming to raise the dead, some to glory and others to condemnation. There is a reckoning, and “already the axe is at the root of the trees.” We don’t know when the Lord will return, but it will be soon enough to cause us a healthy form of worry, a worry about our souls and the state of our characters when we meet Him. Let us continue everyday to prepare for our audience with our King, Judge and Savior!
Glory be to Jesus Christ!
