Lent Week 1: Monday
WHEN HE COMES
When Christians proclaim their faith, we say with certainty that Jesus “will come again to judge the living and the dead,” (Apostles Creed) and that he “will come in glory to judge the living and the dead” (Nicene-Constantinopolitan Creed).
Based on Scripture and Tradition, we are certain of the “who” of the event – the Son, now seated in heaven, will come. We are assured of the “how” of the event – he will return triumphant, glorious. Hidden from us, however is the “when” of the event – the Father reserves this information to himself (Mt 24: 36; Mk 13: 32) and the “where” of the event – although it will definitely be on earth, with only wild speculations arising as to its exact location.
Thanks be to the Lord Jesus, he has given us a glimpse of the “what” of the event – it will be a judgement, not in the sense of denunciation or condemnation, but of an elucidation on the lives we lived.
Two phrases will resound on that day:
The first will be: Come to me, you blessed by my Father. And the second will be: Depart from me…
Those invited to come forward will be those whose lives were marked by sharing, compassion, and kindness. Those commanded to maintain distance from the Lord’s presence will be those who passed their time in selfishness, indifference, and insensitivity to others.
The readings today are calls to awareness, to the need for self-examination before the Lord. Closeness to God, intimacy with Jesus, is not measured by the amount of prayer, donation, or volunteerism we perform. Image management (focusing on appearing righteous) before God or in the church and community is not the true test of being followers of Christ. It is right relationship, sincere service, and loving self-giving that the Lord looks for when he judges our hearts.
In this time of Lent, let us not forget that desire for holiness is not a private enterprise nor a public display, but a meaningful connection with our brothers and sisters who are living mirrors of God’s face in our lives.
