Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

     Readiness and vigilance are the order of the day in today’s Gospel message. And what are the reasons for the practicing of these virtues?  The coming of the Lord of course.  Our Lord always keeps His promises and if it seems that He has been tardy in making His return in glory we need only look to the promises of the past that were fulfilled in God’s time and not our own.  Soon we will begin the season of Advent and even though it wizzes by, especially this year, it represents the many thousands of years that mankind awaited the Savior.  The operative phrase here is that: “we know not the hour nor the day.”  Hence the need to be ready and vigilant.

      Some erroneous sects have in the past and indeed presently think they have the inside scoop on when the Return will take place.  Some even have given it a name. i.e. the rapture.  There is no Biblical or Traditional foundation for such a concept.  No particular revelation has been given although some think they have been privileged to receive it.  Sorry, it is complete fiction.  God does not deal with us using scare tactics.  Rather the Lord in His great mercy wants to give us every opportunity to repent of our sins, to walk with Him and be prepared for that time when He comes to bring us Home.  

    Both the Scouts and several military bodies have preparedness as part of their motto.  Let us always make it our own as we wait joyfully for the Lord to come.

With Blessings,

Father Langan