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Thursday, August 31, 2000

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1 Corinthians 1:1-9
Psalm 145
Matthew 24:42-51

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coming for sure

"Stay awake, therefore! You cannot know the day your Lord is coming." —Matthew 24:42

In the Nicene Creed, we profess that Jesus "will come again in glory." After the Consecration at Mass, we proclaim that "Christ will come again." After praying the "Our Father" at Mass before receiving Communion, we pray and "wait in joyful hope for the coming of our Savior, Jesus Christ."

"But who will endure the day of His coming? And who can stand when He appears?" (Mal 3:2) They will be:

  • those saved by Jesus (Rv 7:9-10),
  • those faithful, farsighted servants working to feed others physically and spiritually (Mt 24:45),
  • those "who have survived the great period of trial; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb" (Rv 7:14),
  • those purified by Jesus (Mal 3:2-3),
  • the repentant and holy (2 Pt 3:11), and
  • those who are part of the "Church, holy and immaculate, without stain or wrinkle or anything of that sort" (Eph 5:27).

Yes, Jesus is coming back, and He will strengthen us "to the end, so that" we "will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus" (1 Cor 1:8). "May He preserve you whole and entire, spirit, soul, and body, irreproachable at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ" (1 Thes 5:23). "The One Who gives this testimony says, 'Yes, I am coming soon!' Amen! Come, Lord Jesus!" (Rv 22:20)

Prayer:  Maranatha! Come, Lord Jesus today.

Promise:  "The Son of Man is coming at the time you least expect." —Mt 24:44

Praise:  Diane tries to do her household chores and tasks with love and attention so upon Jesus' return she may hear the Lord's words, "Well done, good and faithful servant" (see Mt 25:21).

Nihil Obstat:  Reverend Edward J. Gratsch, March 8, 2000


Imprimatur:  †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, March 9, 2000