< <  

Tuesday, June 6, 2006

  > >

St. Norbert


2 Peter 3:12-15, 17-18
Psalm 90
Mark 12:13-17

View Readings
Similar Reflections

soon and very soon

"...looking for the coming of the day of God and trying to hasten it!" —2 Peter 3:12

Are you trying to speed up Jesus' Second Coming? The sooner the better! No matter how happy you are on earth, you're still exiled in a strange land (1 Pt 2:11). Won't you feel good going home to Abba in heaven? So cry out "Maranatha," "Come, Lord Jesus!" (Rv 22:20) Pray, repent, and lead others to Jesus. With every word, the seconds tick away, "soon" becomes "sooner," and time approaches the timeless. "Come, Lord Jesus!"

We all must get ready for Jesus' Second Coming because some of us are speeding it up. He's been waiting on us and, when we get as ready as we're going to be, then He will come riding on the clouds, accompanied by the angels, at the final trumpet blast (1 Thes 4:16). "So, beloved, while waiting for this, make every effort to be found without stain or defilement, and at peace in His sight. Consider that our Lord's patience is directed toward salvation" (2 Pt 3:14-15).

Don't sell out to the world. Don't have Caesar's coins on you, because you don't belong to Caesar (Mk 12:17). You are not of the world, but have been chosen out of the world (Jn 15:19). "What we await are new heavens and a new earth where, according to His promise, the justice of God will reside" (2 Pt 3:13).

Prayer:  Jesus, You'll hurry up if I hurry up. Come, Lord Jesus!

Promise:  "The heavens will be destroyed in flames and the elements will melt away in a blaze." —2 Pt 3:12

Praise:  St. Norbert left behind a life of ease and opulence in order to embrace poverty. He hastened the kingdom's coming by spreading the good news of Jesus throughout Europe.

Reference:  (For a related teaching, order our tape on Judgment Day on audio AV 75-3 or video V-75.)

Rescript:  †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, December 12, 2005

The Nihil Obstat ("Permission to Publish") is a declaration that a book or pamphlet is considered to be free of doctrinal or moral error. It is not implied that those who have granted the Nihil Obstat agree with the contents, opinions, or statements expressed.