This first day of the Church year could be the last day of the world, for we know not the day or the hour. "The Son of Man is coming at the time you least expect" (Mt 24:44). "The coming of the Son of Man will repeat what happened in Noah's time. In the days before the flood people were eating and drinking, marrying and being married, right up to the day Noah entered the ark. They were totally unconcerned" (Mt 24:37-39).

Many are busily getting ready for Christmas, but how many are ready for Christ? What if this Advent didn't mean waiting for His Christmas coming but His actual Second Coming? Would we be busy about many things (see Lk 10:41), or prepared and ready to greet Him when He comes again? (see Mt 24:44) What if today were the world's last day, or your last day? Would you spend Christmas in heaven? "You know the time in which we are living. It is now the hour for you to wake from sleep, for our salvation is closer than when we first accepted the faith" (Rm 13:11). "Let us live honorably as in daylight; not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual excess and lust, not in quarreling and jealousy" (Rm 13:13).

When Jesus comes back this hour, day, Advent, Christmas, year, or whenever, may He see Himself in us because we have "put on the Lord Jesus Christ" and have made "no provision for the desires of the flesh" (Rm 13:14). Come, Lord Jesus!

Rescript:  †Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, April 6, 2010

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