Always Be Ready For The End

As we come to the close of the liturgical season, I cannot help but once again notice how the readings foretell of the end of time; nevertheless, we are sufficiently reminded that though there be signs that no one know when the end will come. I probably sound like a broken record in this regard to the regular church goer, but I wish to make the point that people need not worry about prophecies regarding the “end times” about how or even exactly when the end of the world will occur because our Master has said that no one will know the hour of His return. He has told us that there will be many false prophets; therefore, there are much more important things to attend to, as we have no control over the end of the world.

I feel it appropriate to write a bit regarding the "end" because it has been reoccurring issue in my life. When I was catechism teacher, one question that was continually posted to me was about the end of the world being in 2012, and if one were to spend a fair amount of time on the internet or visit YouTube there is no shortage of videos pertaining to Nostradamus, the Mayan Calendar, or other video proclaiming the end of the world is near. 

Nevertheless, I am of the position that none of this really matters because Christ has already stated that no one will know when He will return, but aside from that what good does it do anyone to guess when such events would transpire? When one is called into judgment, it can be at any moment. A person can die crossing the street, through disease, through any number of unforeseen circumstances and judgment will be based upon the way one has led their life, so if anything, a person should be living each day as if it were their last, regardless of prophecies. 

For a person to wait until a circumstance which they think would be the end of the world to change their way of living is in my opinion very late to be getting into the game, but more importantly is an act of selfishness not of love. Their deciding to correct their life is out of the fear of hell, not out of the love of God. It should be remembered that sin is any thought, word or deed that is contrary to the will of God. Sin is that which separates us from God. It is then with renewed opportunity and vigor that every Christian should face each day, striving to conquer their sinful inclinations and serve their Lord and consecrating every thought, word and deed to Him. Essentially, we should be good laborers who are seeking constantly to be pleasing to their God.

In the past, there have been some who waited until the last moment of their lives sought the Sacrament of Penance; however, this is a dangerous gamble. This is to lead a life where one presumes that the opportunity will be sufficient to confess at the last moment, or that nothing will ever happen in one’s life to allow them to die in state of mortal sin. Catholics should regularly examine their conscience, and after examining devoutly say An Act of Contrition or some other penitential prayer. What is more important, the regular examination of conscience should allow the penitent to be able to regularly approach the Sacrament of Penance and make regular confessions; thus, allowing them through the priests’ absolutions, God’s pardon and peace and to be reconciled to God and one another.  Ultimately, we should strive to avoid sin and even to confess not just because it would condemn us to hell, but more so because it offends God and we wish to be reconciled to Him because we love Him.

I wish to leave off on this note, we should seek to be pleasing to God in all that we do, and keeping that in mind we should strive to avoid all occasions of sin. We should always strive to be holy, not just when we think misfortune or the end may be near. There will be many who will prophecy and proclaim the end, but to them pay no mind for it matters not if the world ends tomorrow or a thousand years from now because if we live each day as it is our last and fully consecrated to God there is never any fear of death.  Let us keep the Parable of the Ten Virgins ever in mind and be always ready:

Then shall the kingdom of heaven be like to ten virgins, who taking their lamps went out to meet the bridegroom and the bride. And five of them were foolish, and five wise. But the five foolish, having taken their lamps, did not take oil with them: But the wise took oil in their vessels with the lamps. And the bridegroom tarrying, they all slumbered and slept.

And at midnight there was a cry made: Behold the bridegroom cometh, go ye forth to meet him. Then all those virgins arose and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said to the wise: Give us of your oil, for our lamps are gone out. The wise answered, saying: Lest perhaps there be not enough for us and for you, go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves. Now whilst they went to buy, the bridegroom came: and they that were ready, went in with him to the marriage, and the door was shut.

But at last come also the other virgins, saying: Lord, Lord, open to us. But he answering said: Amen I say to you, I know you not. Watch ye therefore, because you know not the day nor the hour. (Mt 25:1-13)