Tomorrow

"Today you will know the Lord is coming, and tomorrow you will see his glory" (Invitatory for Matins of Christmas Eve). We sometimes overlook the other purpose of Advent, that is to look toward and prepare for the Second Coming of Christ. Yes, tomorrow, we will commemorate his birth as a child in Bethlehem, but tomorrow also refers to the Day of the Lord, when Jesus comes in glory. The shepherds saw the angels and the infant child in the manger: the glory of God, but at the end of time we shall all see the Son of Man in glorious triumph over all the powers of evil and the total reconciliation of the universe as a gift to be offered to the Father. With all our prayers and good works during Advent, we have been preparing our hearts not only for Christmas, but also for our own personal meeting with Christ when he comes in glory to our souls, and we have also been preparing our families, our circle of friends, our communities, for the reign of the King of Glory at the end of time. What we see now is a glimpse of what we will see in full reality then. As we finish wrapping presents, preparing foods, even sending Christmas cards today, let us use the day to ready our hearts for Christmas Mass, be it late afternoon, at midnight, or tomorrow morning. This is the culmination of our four weeks of prayer and reflection, this is another step toward the Kingdom of God in all its fullness. Taking time for reflection today is more important that "getting everything done." Christ will come, whether we are ready or not. Let's not be too busy to recognize and greet him when he arrives.
Bro. Rene