November is the month we remember our loved ones and friends who have gone before us to live eternally with the Lord.  Back when Paul was preaching to the different churches people were very concerned that their loved ones who had already died would not be able to take part and experience the second coming of Jesus.  In the second reading for this Sunday, from Thes. 4:13-18 Paul reassures us on this point:

We do not want you to be unaware, brothers and sisters,
about those who have fallen asleep,
so that you may not grieve like the rest, who have no hope.
For if we believe that Jesus died and rose,
so too will God, through Jesus,
bring with him those who have fallen asleep.
Indeed, we tell you this, on the word of the Lord,
that we who are alive,
who are left until the coming of the Lord,
will surely not precede those who have fallen asleep.
For the Lord himself, with a word of command,
with the voice of an archangel and with the trumpet of God,
will come down from heaven,
and the dead in Christ will rise first.
Then we who are alive, who are left,
will be caught up together with them in the clouds
to meet the Lord in the air.
Thus we shall always be with the Lord.
Therefore, console one another with these words.

The first reading from the Book of Wisdom offers us the gift of wisdom that will lead us to do what is right and to live worry free lives. 

Both readings are preparatory to the Gospel and the description of what the reign of God will be like.  Jesus tells us a story about bridesmaids going out to meet the bridegroom.  The bridesmaids brought with them their lamps and some of them had the wisdom to carry with them extra oil for their lamps because they didn’t know how long they would have to wait for the groom to arrive.  They all fell asleep waiting and awoke to see that the bridegroom had arrived.  Those that had extra oil were able to light their lamps but the others had to leave to find oil and, thus, missed the groom and were not admitted to the wedding banquet!

We do not know when Jesus will return but when he does it will be glorious!  We must be ready in case he returns now, and be ready if he returns 10, 20 or 30 years from now.  When you know that someone is coming to visit you, you prepare yourself and your home to receive them graciously.  It is no different preparing for the coming of the Lord.  We know he is coming…we must get prepared to receive him!  Being ready comes from wisdom, wisdom guides our hearts and minds to do what is right and wisdom gives us peace in our hearts and minds so that we do not worry while we wait.  Knowing that Jesus is coming is an exciting, wonderful event!  Whether dead or alive when he returns, all the faithful are destined to live eternally with Christ!

“What will it be like when all the infinite beauty and greatness and happiness and Love of God are poured into the poor clay vessel that the human being is, to satisfy it eternally with the freshness of an ever-new joy?”  St. Josemaría Escrivá 

“How great will your glory and happiness be, to be allowed to see God, to be honored with sharing the joy of salvation and eternal light with Christ your Lord and God. (St. Cyprian)”  

The Psalm this week is Psalm 63: My Soul is Thirsting which ties all of our readings together with the sureness of God’s love and tender care protecting us from anxiety even while our very souls thirst for Him.  

Have you ever wondered what you would do If you KNEW that Jesus was coming next week?  How would that knowledge change how you live your life this week?  The preparation of the 2nd coming of the Lord is identical to our preparation to the coming of the Lord at Christmas.  The same thrill and excitement fills us and we are overcome with joy at the arrival of the baby Jesus.  Advent begins on 11/27/11 and knowing when the first coming of the Christ happened we celebrate that event anew with enormous preparation (our environments are decorated, we spend time preparing our hearts and minds for this glorious and much anticipated event) and much joy!  So be it, our preparations for the 2nd coming too!

In the meditation, we hear these words: “The thought of Jesus’ Second Coming should be a hope and encouragement to us as we look forward to what lies ahead.” Is this true for you? Why or why not?

God bless you and have a wonderful week preparing for the coming of the Lord.