20-second Summary
Jesus is Coming! This week the readings are all about that; like blazing headlines! So, we discuss when he is coming, and how we know it is happening. The Second Coming is in process as we speak! That’s no surprise to Catholics when we understand what the end times are, and our role in them. This day has been anticipated since before Jesus came the first time, and we get to be in on the VIP pre-party!
And hopefully the eternal after-party…
Catechesis At Home – Thirty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time – Year C
The Second Coming
First Reading
when all the proud and all evildoers will be stubble,
and the day that is coming will set them on fire,
leaving them neither root nor branch,
says the LORD of hosts.
But for you who fear my name, there will arise
the sun of justice with its healing rays.
Responsorial Psalm
Sing praise to the LORD with the harp,
with the harp and melodious song.
With trumpets and the sound of the horn
sing joyfully before the King, the LORD.
R. The Lord comes to rule the earth with justice.
Let the sea and what fills it resound,
the world and those who dwell in it;
let the rivers clap their hands,
the mountains shout with them for joy.
R. The Lord comes to rule the earth with justice.
Before the LORD, for he comes,
for he comes to rule the earth,
he will rule the world with justice
and the peoples with equity.
R. The Lord comes to rule the earth with justice.
Second Reading
You know how one must imitate us.
For we did not act in a disorderly way among you,
nor did we eat food received free from anyone.
On the contrary, in toil and drudgery, night and day
we worked, so as not to burden any of you.
Not that we do not have the right.
Rather, we wanted to present ourselves as a model for you,
so that you might imitate us.
In fact, when we were with you,
we instructed you that if anyone was unwilling to work,
neither should that one eat.
We hear that some are conducting themselves among you in a
disorderly way,
by not keeping busy but minding the business of others.
Such people we instruct and urge in the Lord Jesus Christ to work quietly
and to eat their own food.
Gospel Reading
Alleluia
Stand erect and raise your heads
because your redemption is at hand.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel
While some people were speaking about
how the temple was adorned with costly stones and votive offerings,
Jesus said, “All that you see here–
the days will come when there will not be left
a stone upon another stone that will not be thrown down.”
Then they asked him,
“Teacher, when will this happen?
And what sign will there be when all these things are about to happen?”
He answered,
“See that you not be deceived,
for many will come in my name, saying,
‘I am he,’ and ‘The time has come.’
Do not follow them!
When you hear of wars and insurrections,
do not be terrified; for such things must happen first,
but it will not immediately be the end.”
Then he said to them,
“Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom.
There will be powerful earthquakes, famines, and plagues
from place to place;
and awesome sights and mighty signs will come from the sky.
“Before all this happens, however,
they will seize and persecute you,
they will hand you over to the synagogues and to prisons,
and they will have you led before kings and governors
because of my name.
It will lead to your giving testimony.
Remember, you are not to prepare your defense beforehand,
for I myself shall give you a wisdom in speaking
that all your adversaries will be powerless to resist or refute.
You will even be handed over by parents, brothers, relatives, and friends,
and they will put some of you to death.
You will be hated by all because of my name,
but not a hair on your head will be destroyed.
By your perseverance you will secure your lives.”
Mass Readings are presented verbatim from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) web site in good faith accordance with its “Web and Other Digital Media Usage” guidelines. All Rights are reserved to the USCCB.
The Second Coming
REFLECTION – He Is Coming
This week’s readings clearly speak of the Second Coming. This is what we call the fulfillment of Jesus’ promise that at the end of time, He will come in glory to judge the living and the dead. From the descriptions in the readings this week, it sounds pretty spectacular and scary. Fire, earthquakes, war, famine, etc.
But, that’s what’s happening right now, isn’t it? So is this the End? Is Jesus on His way? Yes, and no, and yes. We do live in the “end times”, as has everyone since the Ascension. The Church and her members have been persecuted from the beginning, never has there been a time of complete peace. This is because this world is fallen. Satan still has free reign over this earth. We are to live in a way that fights against him and his demons, we are to live according to Jesus’ Way. And by doing so, by suffering and putting up with the evils and temptations of this life, we prepare for the next. We do not know the hour or the day, nor is it our right to know (Matthew 25:13). Jesus tells us this week, “do not be terrified; for such things must happen first, but it will not immediately be the end.” (Luke 21:9)
Jesus IS coming. He comes at every Mass, He comes at every prayer, He comes and lives in us and with us. We can fight against the evils, we can persevere through the sufferings, we can even grow through the persecutions – because we have the grace of God, the power of the Holy Spirit in us. We have Jesus working miracles in us and our neighbors. We can be confident in the justice of God at the end of time, when all the unfairness and unrighteousness is put away. We pray for and look for this justice, knowing that it may not be realized in our lifetime – but in the end, at our end, that is the justice we can count on.
DISCUSSION – Are we ready?
Am I ready for Jesus’ justice? Can I honestly say that I am ready for the Coming of Christ at the end of time? Or, am I even ready for my own personal justice at my death? How can we prepare for that? Discuss with your family and friends this week, what we can and should do to prepare – Confession, Mass, daily prayer, good works, evangelization, being a good friend and neighbor. What can we do this week to prepare for Jesus to judge us?
ACTIVITY – Come, Lord Jesus
There is a song that says:
Our hearts ache when nations rage
Our tears fall when families break
When kingdoms rise against Your name
When darkness seems to win the day
(We sing) Come, Lord Jesus, come and save us
Come, Lord Jesus, come
Come, Lord Jesus, keep us faithful
Come, Lord Jesus, come
When death comes staring face to face
Our enemies plot in vain
Our life and times are in Your hand
You hold them all until the end
My present help my future hope
One thing I know You’ll always be with me
Your grace alone anchors my soul
One thing I know You’ll always be with me
Come, Lord Jesus, come
Pray these lyrics or listen to the song this week.
https://genius.com/The-worship-initiative-come-lord-jesus-come-lyrics
DIG DEEPER – Other Second Coming resources from Holy Owned and Operated:
Page: Prayer Basics
TWMWU: Patience Leads to Justice
TWMWU: God of the Living
TWMWU: A Thousand Generations
TWMWU: Are You Prepared?
TWMWU: Prepare The Way Of The Lord
Podcast: Jesus in the Desert – Episode 85
Podcast: All Saints’ Day – Episode 118
Podcast: All Souls’ Day – Episode 119
How do you prepare for the Second Coming?
by Beth & Kristofer Cowles
HOO™ Co-Founders
Other Help on HOO
Asking The Dead To Pray For Us – Episode 168
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 22:26 — 20.7MB)
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Asking the dead to pray for us can be a bit discomforting.
It can seem blasphemous, useless, or silly superstition.
But asking the dead to pray for us makes absolute perfect sense when we consider the belief that “we are all one body” and that body does not have separate, disparate parts that exist away from each other.
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