1 Thessalonians 5:1-11, Ps 27, Luke 4:31-37
It seems that many people thrive on listening to the voices of doomsayers, those who would propose to have knowledge of the end of times. Whether it’s at the turn of a decade or a century or a millennium or at the end of some ancient culture’s calendar, many people are willing to bet on the outcome of the final human apocalypse.
The letter to the Thessalonians perhaps is a response to such future pondering as its author offers a clear message denouncing such speculation. There will be an end of times, but it will come like a thief in the night. No one knows when and know one will be able to escape. But what might seem like a message of doom is really one of hope.
The message is, “So what, if the end is to come”, as long as we live in the light of the teaching of Christ. The apocalypse, as some call it, is not doom and gloom for those who know God, it is simply a returning to our natural home. This comes at some point for each and every person and it is a time that we should not fear.
Those who fear the end might say Christians are in denial or that they believe in an impotent God who has no power to save the world. Today in the Gospel Jesus shows just how untrue that suggestion is. Jesus not only has power over evil and is able to remove demons but by his self-sacrifice he has already saved the world.
This is a beautiful world and our lives are precious gifts. For myself; I hope to live a long, long time. But the truth is none of knows whether we have years ahead of us, or just today. It is so essential that we live each and every moment as a gift from God, knowing that we are deeply loved by our creator.
Do you fear death, are you preoccupied by thinking about your own mortality?
Have you thought about what life with God might be like?
How will you spend the gift of your life today?
