tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1129333277189264024.post1954742334923112101..comments2024-01-31T06:40:32.854-08:00Comments on Companions on a Faith Journey: December 4, 2016 - Prepare for the Second Coming of ChristSister Annette Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14994000378337080291noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1129333277189264024.post-24654810950618968672016-12-02T08:26:11.138-08:002016-12-02T08:26:11.138-08:00Yes, the liturgy for this Sunday definitely emphas...Yes, the liturgy for this Sunday definitely emphasizes the Second Coming of Jesus. It certainly will be a momentous occasion for each and all of us, for which we should prepare as well as possible. The following quotations are from the Catechism of the Catholic Church:<br /><br />"The Last Judgment will come when Christ returns in glory. Only the Father knows the day and the hour; only he determines the moment of its coming. Then, through his Son, Jesus Christ, he will pronounce the final word on all history. We shall know the ultimate meaning of the whole work of creation and of the entire economy of salvation and understand the marvelous ways by which his Providence led everything towards its final end. The Last Judgment will reveal that God's justice triumphs over all the injustices committed by his creatures and that God's love is stronger than death." (#1040)<br /><br />"At the end of time the Kingdom of God will come in its fullness. After the universal judgment, the righteous will reign forever with Christ, glorified in body and soul. The universe itself will be renewed." (#1042)<br /><br />The beatific vision, in which God opens himself in an inexhaustible way to the elect, will be the ever-flowing well-spring of happiness, peace, and mutual communion." (#1045)<br />Sr. Therese MW,SBSnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1129333277189264024.post-18443369567278537832016-11-30T12:58:32.291-08:002016-11-30T12:58:32.291-08:00 “The work of our salvation takes place in the... “The work of our salvation takes place in the midst of a world that continues to shout, scream, and overwhelm us with its claims and promises. But the promise is hidden in the shoot that sprouts from the stump, a shoot that hardly anyone notices.” – Henri Nouwen<br />Dear Sr. Annette,<br /> I read your blog prior to going to lunch on Wednesday, thus your concerns were fresh in my mind. While waiting in the lunch line in the cafeteria, a song of Michael Jackson’s started playing – “Heal the World.” I nearly dropped the tray - I was so taken by the synchronicity of your words to the message of this song from the 1990’s. This background sets the tone for my post. <br /> I listened to the words of the song, “There’s a place in your heart and I know that it is love, and this place could be much brighter…There are ways to get there if you care enough for the living. Make a little space, make a better place. Heal the world make it a better place, for you and for me and the entire human race…”<br /> I remembered seeing crowds of people on televised performances who held hands and swayed in unison with one another while they listened to this very song. In those moments unity won out over barriers and differences. Group Consciousness held the vision of a unified humanity. <br /> We have seen similar occurrences throughout the decades as songs about healing the earth, peace, love and harmony served to touch that place in our hearts. Recall how people all over the world come to the assistance of others when disasters and tragedies strike. That place of love in our hearts is the place where Christ resides. Signing a petition to stand up for the rights of our Native American brothers and sisters is a positive step to bring forth justice. It is a statement expressing that you care about those being violated and their plight. Your action validates that their voices are being heard.<br /> I love the words of Isaiah that you included in your post because it provides a vision of harmony that humanity longs for. The Vision stimulates anticipation of the glorious second coming of Jesus while we prepare at this time to celebrate Christmas - where God, who is the Creator of the Universe, comes to us in smallness, weakness, and hiddenness.<br /> The following is from a December 2012 daily e-devotional of Henri Nowwen entitled, Anticipating the Vision, which I eagerly share with your readers.<br />“The marvelous vision of the peaceable Kingdom, in which all violence has been overcome and all men, women, and children live in loving unity with nature, calls for its realization in our day-to-day lives. Instead of being an escapist dream, it challenges us to anticipate what it promises. Every time we forgive our neighbor, every time we make a child smile, every time we show compassion to a suffering person, every time we arrange a bouquet of flowers, offer care to animals, prevent pollution, create beauty in our <br />homes and gardens, and work for peace and justice among peoples and nations we are making the vision come true. <br /> <br />We must remind one another constantly of the vision. Whenever it comes alive in us we will find new energy to live it out, right where we are. Instead of making us escape real life, this beautiful vision gets us <br />involved.” Namaste!<br />Pathttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15183102502129500705noreply@blogger.com