The Time is Drawing Near

Yesterday I wrote about making excuses when the Lord sends His servants to call us to heaven. At some point the Lord will come calling. We all know and accept that reality, but it has become “normal” to think we have more time. We are confident the Lord isn’t coming today, “So why not just go about our business,” we think every day. But as today’s Gospel reminds us, our time is drawing near...

Here is today’s Gospel Reading: Luke 21:28-33 (RSV) - The Lord said to his disciples, "Look up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near." And he told them a parable: "Look at the fig tree, and all the trees; as soon as they come out in leaf, you see for yourselves and know that the summer is already near. So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that the kingdom of God is near. Truly, I say to you, this generation will not pass away till all has taken place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away."

I have noticed over the years that two types of people general exist. There are people who put off until the very last moment the work needed for a project. The project could be school related, work related, and even vacation related. Have you ever realized your vacation was beginning tomorrow and you hadn’t made hotel reservations yet? The other type of person is the one who arrives at the airport three hours in advance “just in case” something comes up they have to attend to. This type of person would rather sit at the gate for three hours and enjoy reading a good book, than feel rushed through security in a state of panic the plane would depart without them comfortable in their seat.

No matter what the project, the procrastinator will procrastinate. There is one major problem though when it comes to our relationship with God. WE DON’T KNOW the departure time. We only know, as the Lord says in today’s Gospel, the time is drawing near. When it comes to our time to enter heaven, we won’t be able to ask for more time, we won’t be able to wrap things up, we won’t be able to “pull an all-nighter” to finish the report. God will come for us, and whatever we have accomplished we have accomplished...no more – no less.

If you are a regular reader of this blog, then you know my emphasis on taking seriously the life the Church offers to us as preparation for when God calls. I invite you today, most especially if you are a procrastinator, to consider whether or not you are prepared to enter the kingdom of heaven. “The time of your redemption is drawing near.” Will you be ready?