Are You Ready to Meet Jesus?

November 29, 2024

Are you ready to meet Jesus?
The message from Sacred Scripture throughout Advent is unmistakably clear—be prepared. The Son of Man is coming to cast judgment on the earth. We do not know the Day of the Lord, but it “will come like a thief in the night.” Many signs seem to indicate that we are truly in the “End Times.” Wars, natural disasters, and mass abandonment of religious beliefs were all predicted to happen before Christ’s return. No one knows how long this final period of human history will last, but one thing is certain. Christ will not let it go on forever. The imminence of the Last Judgment calls men to conversion while God is still giving them “the acceptable time.” 1 Cor. 6:2.

In her love for us, the Church encourages us to contemplate the coming of Christ, not only at the end of time but, at the end of our earthly lives. As we move from November, when we pray for the Holy Souls in Purgatory, the Church calls us to remember our own mortality (memento mori). Throughout the four weeks of Advent, we focus on the four Last Things: Death, Judgment, Heaven, and Hell. I hope that in anticipating our own ends, we will focus more on the one who can save us from sin and death: Jesus Christ.

How can we prepare concretely to meet Christ?
Center our thoughts and hearts on Him as much as we can. This is fostered primarily through raising our minds and hearts to God in silent prayer. Be sure to take time every day to be with God.

Detach ourselves from all that fools us into a false sense of security: self-sufficiency, cycles of worry, and fears that have wormed their way into our ways of thinking. We should be wary of an imposter(s) or a fake Christ(s); that is, anyone who takes our eyes off Christ as the Savior.

The Confession of sins. Why put it off any longer? The coming Judgment should inspire within us a holy fear of death and a desire to receive His mercy. Our sins can be brought before the Lord in the Sacrament of Confession for forgiveness and healing. Christ is waiting for us to give Him our sins so He can give us His peace.

Works of Charity. When Christ returns or when we are called home, let us be found doing good works. A good question is, “What am I doing and why?” Or, “Will the person benefit from my action or my example?” Let us also care for their immortal souls. With the same sense of urgency as Holy Mother Church and our Heavenly Mother, let us never be afraid to tell others to return to the Lord in a spirit of worship and humility by weekly attendance at Mass and daily recitation of the Rosary.

Will there be any Faith when the Son of Man returns? I hope so, but that means we must get to work. Pray for conversions, make sacrifices for lapsed Catholics, and speak up in the face of blasphemy and indifference to Christ and His teachings.

We do not know the day or the hour when death shall call us, but we know that Christ has come to save us. His hand of mercy is extended to us right now. Come Lord Jesus and save us!

“Speak to the world about My mercy; let all mankind recognize My unfathomable mercy. It is a sign for the end times; after it will come the day of justice…Before I come as the Just Judge, I am coming first as the King of Mercy.” Diary of St. Faustina

Yours in Christ,
Fr. Slezak