The End Times

“Gospel” means “good news” and yet today’s Gospel reading warns us about “the end times,” and the day on which the “Son of Man” returns in glory.  This is often referred to as “The Day of Judgement.”  The reading from the prophet Daniel might also put the fear of God into us since he speaks of a “time of great distress.”

So, as the Church year comes to an end, the readings on weekdays and Sundays do put us in mind of the end of the world.  I don’t think that this necessarily has to be a bad thing.  The new Church year begins in Advent, and this provides opportunity for a new birth and a new beginning.

Catholics are often very clear about what they intend to do in the season of Lent.  However, sometimes they are less clear about the call of Advent.  Our consumer society is gearing up for Christmas, and encourages us to spend as much as we can, and over-indulge in all sorts of ways.

Advent is actually a good time for us to quieten down, renew our prayers and devotions and return to the deep importance of faith.  It is a time of thanksgiving for the birth of our Saviour Jesus Christ and there are plenty of opportunities in the parish which deserve our support: the Mary’s Meals concert, the Parish Christmas Fair, the four Friday Advent Masses and Talks, and the Parish Christmas Concert.

God bless, Fr Kevin.