Last Sunday after Pentecost 22.11.20 Ready
The word ‘last’ puts us in mind of the end of things, the
end of life, the end of history, end of the world as we know it.
Every year we come around to this point. Another year gone. Another reminder of the shortness of things – things we might see as more permanent than they really are.
The liturgy at this time reminds us of higher considerations than just what this life can offer.
Our thoughts and aspirations are directed heavenwards. We are exhorted to be ready - in two senses.
One, that all we have, the world around us, even our own lives, could disappear very suddenly.
We need to be ready every day of our lives to part with this earthly life. Like the wise virgins of the parable (Mt 25,1-13) or the servants who are at their work when the Master returns (Mt 24,46). We will not be caught off guard.
At another level we are encouraged to a state of readiness which can increase as we enter more fully the world that God puts before us. We discover how desirable God is, and how much better the Kingdom of Heaven is than here.
Heaven is not just a place we go when we die. It is something we can begin to understand here - as we learn to love God and one another; to experience God's love for us; as we leave behind the world of sin and self-seeking, and discover truly what it means to be a child of God.
We are not meant to be sorry that this life is so short. The shortness is all the better really if we consider that we are heading towards a better situation.
This is readiness in a more permanent sense. We are living already in partial possession of Heaven.
This takes away any fear we might have in the first sense of readiness. We do not see death as just being suddenly plucked from this life, but as an entry into a fuller life for which we have been preparing.
God does not want us to fear Him as we might an inspector or an auditor. If we love Him enough we will have no fear. We will be ready in both senses.
We would prefer God to anything on earth, and be ready at any time to make the move from here to there.
People have always tried to work out when the end will be, and whether we can get some kind of warning, or advance notice?
The wisdom from all the valid sources tells us not to worry about dates - because if we are ready every day we will be ready on the Last Day, even if we do not know it is the last.
It is better to use all our energy on living the right way. That is the best way to be ready for a sudden end, or to attain the deeper readiness for eternal life.
There are certain difficulties to overcome.
It is hard to think of eternity when we are so immersed in paying the bills, making ends meet, dealing with the current crop of problems.
And there is that sense that the end is always a long way away.
While the sky is blue can it ever end? History says Yes. What seemed never never will one day be at our front door.
And while we have our small pleasures on earth, is there anything better? Yes again.
Every year we are reminded to ask these questions. We should be thinking of them more than once a year, but at least once will keep us within range.
We think on a grand eternal scale, while still keeping our feet on the ground.
The near and the far come together, and we find peace with both. We possess God already in hope; one day in complete fulfilment.
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