Last Sunday after Pentecost 25 Nov 2012 Sermon

Last Sunday after Pentecost 25.11.12 God with us


At the end of the Church year we think of dramatic moments portrayed in the readings.

Those of us who believe in these things may even hope for some turbulence in the world, thinking that it might shake the complacency of people, a complacency so widespread.

People either think God is not there at all, or if He is, He is not really worried what we do. Nothing to fear, therefore, from above.

We are alarmed at this complacency, a general disregard of things sacred; so we pray that God make Himself known. We don't want thousands of people wiped out (which might include us, after all). If possible we would rather have miracles which show God’s goodness and love, such as the Triumph of the Immaculate Heart - anything which makes Him better known in these dark times.

So we pray, as the Church always has: Come, Lord Jesus. Come, and complete the work You began 2000 years ago. Save us, as we still so much need saving.

But while we keep one eye on the end of the world, we must have the other eye on what we have to do right here and now.

We can be discouraged ourselves as we go about our daily lives, wishing for some stronger sign of God’s closeness to us.

The Lord sometimes does act in a very visible and obvious way; but most of the time He acts quietly and unobtrusively, so much so that many will say that He is not doing anything.

Yet if we are really seeking Him we will perceive His presence and His activity.

We ask Him to come and save the world and we have visions of quick and decisive action on a large scale.
This does happen and will happen.

But also what happens is that He ‘comes’ quietly, like a gentle breeze, and moves our hearts and minds to better things; to repentance, to forgiving our enemies, to making greater use of our talents, to praying more often and more fervently... and many other things of the same sort.

He is, in fact, ‘coming’ all the time. He is with us, in our midst, even ‘inside’ us insofar as we have Him dwelling in our hearts (or that we are temples of the Holy Spirit).

He is as close and as active as could possibly be. He has not left us orphans. So we should never mope about as though He has abandoned us.

Rather we seize each moment and turn it into a triumph of His holy will, thus transforming the world till it is ready to receive Him.

The Second Coming is not meant to be a surprise. He does not want to come in such a way as to embarrass us. He wants us to expect Him and to be ready for Him; that it be joyful on all sides.

Our waiting for the end is active not passive. We do not simply wait for the coming of Christ as spectators watching an event, but as participants in the same cause.

In fact our degree of participation in advancing His kingdom could bring closer the time of His coming. (cf 'hasten the time' 2P 3,12)

So, if we say, Lord, why do You not do something? He can reply I have been doing something all along. You were too dull of perception to see it.

The more we have Him operating in our world the better off we are. This is why we desire His intervention at any point.

If He does not come one way it will be another. But come He always does, especially when invited.