The reflections for Sundays and Solemnities is an activity of Society of St Paul, India
A Reflection by:
FR (DR) GEORGE KAITHOLIL, SSP,
SOCIETY OF ST PAUL, MUMBAI, INDIA.
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The second Coming of Christ
Once I had to undergo surgery to remove a broken piece of bone that was causing much pain. But, for a few days after the surgery the pain was worse. I took it willingly, because bearing it was the only way to healing. After all the post-operational aches and pains, health and comfort came. This is a general rule: the way to joy passes through the gate of pain.
In today’s first reading Prophet Daniel predicts that the people of Israel will have to pass through terrible times, but God will have victory over evil and ensure salvation for the chosen people. A time will come when the destinies of the good and the bad will be decided definitively, when they will all rise from the dead and receive their glory or condemnation. For the good ones there will be a complete salvation which goes beyond death.
Today’s Gospel reading speaks of this final salvation at the second coming of Christ at the end of time, and the coming of the Kingdom beyond human history. When this will happen is known only to the Father. When the Son of Man comes in glory, he will assemble his chosen ones from every part of the world. Such an abundant harvest requires the time necessary to evangelize and prepare all peoples.
Christ will finally gather all his faithful in definitive communion with him. The Old Testament hope of the gathering of the people of God from all nations will thus come true. God has not abandoned His people; He is close to them also in their trials and sufferings, ready to complete the salvation He has begun. All creation, with frightening events, will signal the final coming of Christ. The upsetting revolution, however, is not in time and space; it is a spiritual revolution within, a change of heart. The Lord is exhorting the Christian community to be vigilant and ready to recognize the signs of total salvation which is accomplished in and through the person of Christ; by offering a sacrifice once for all he has perfected for all times those who are sanctified, as the second reading tells us.
Having been defeated and dethroned, evil opposes Christ and the Christian community with all its might. The Church experiences obstacles and persecution in proclaiming the Gospel. We see this happening. We are invited to have the attitude Christ had when he faced his suffering and death on the cross: he was not frightened, and he never gave in to the forces of evil. The only way to follow Christ the Savior is the way of the Cross. But those who persist in their sinfulness will be damned.
And so the time granted us for repentance and reparation, the time of pardon, comes to an end. Then will come the time of judgement and justice, the time of separating the wheat from the chaff, and the sheep from the goats. Then everyone will be given the just reward.
Just as the evil forces hated Christ, they hate his followers too. Therefore we Christians will have to suffer, but we should not lose courage and hope. On the Last day, amidst destruction, the Son of man will come in glory; we shall overcome the world because we belong to him. It is enough that the Christians behave as the farmers do; they observe when the fig tree puts forth new shoots or the mango tree blossoms, and know that winter is over and summer is near.
Faithful love for Christ and the people always, even in times of suffering and pain, is the only way for the Church. Genuine love is unselfish; it does not use any force or advance any claims; it values all that is true and good in others. This is the way Pope Francis is tirelessly showing us by word and example. We need to ask ourselves if this is really the way we follow and our Church follows. Let us pray for the grace to learn from Christ to take up our crosses and to share his glory. Let us look forward to the second coming of Christ with joyful expectation.
God bless you.
