So much has been written about the rapture prediction of Harold Camping that, like all others, did not come true. Why do we waste so much time on these things. The Gospels of both St. Matthew and St. Mark tells us that no one knows the hour or the day. I enjoyed the whole of Saturday for what it was; another fabulous day the Lord has made. At 6 p.m. I was preparing for a nice dinner with family.
As I digest the news of the last few hours I wonder if it felt like the last day in Joplin, Missouri. As a quiet southwest Missouri town faced another Sunday and the predicted bad weather, little did they know it would be such a ghastly day. At this hour, 89 are reported dead while others are hurt and still others are missing. I guess it must have felt like end times recently for the good folks of Alabama, or Japan or even my own region some six years ago because of Katrina.
How about those whose days end unexpectedly due to an accident or perhaps an act of violence or even a medical emergency previously undected?
The lesson from all of this is simple: be prepared? At all times and in all situations live life as if today may be your last on earth. We who call ourselves Christians know by faith that this life is not the end. No! One way or the other we will live on eternally. Our hope is that it will be in sheer happiness with God. For Catholics this means we strive to live in a state of grace free from the poison of mortal sin.
Catholics who paid even the least bit of attention to this latest "rapture" prediction and are moved by the fates of those who experience a Joplin or Katrina moment should pause and reflect on what the Church teaches about grace, sin, mercy, judgement. For starters we can examine our own conscience, deeply and sincerely so as to consider our own sinfulness and need for God's mercy. Yes, Jesus paid a debt for our sins, but we must continue to repent and confess. For us Catholics, confession or reconciliation is sacramental. We are obliged by our faith to confess our sins. If you have not been to the Sacrament of Reconciliation, even if it be a very long time, please consider doing so soon. You will be so happy that you did so!
Catholics believe all that divine Scripture declares, as authentically interpreted by the Church. We believe all of John Chapter 6. To have eternal life we must eat His body and drink His blood in Holy Communion as presented to us in the holy sacrifice of the Mass. Again, if you have been far from the Mass for a long time, or you may attend but can't receive Him in the Eucharist, come back and talk to a priest or deacon or someone who can guide you authentically.
It is true that all will reach the end of this walk on earth. And yes, Jesus will indeed come again. But He will not come in foolhearty predictions of those who wish to interpret the Bible their way. And in that statement lies all the reason to believe in one body, one church.
Jesus founded a Church some 2,000 years ago and She was born on Pentecost. She is alive today helping people achieve their eternal life with the Father and the Son. Come find out more and visit us at any Catholic parish!
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