That day catch you by surprise like a trap

2 DECEMBER (Lk 21,25-28.34-36)

The prophecy of the Lord is always for the greater salvation of a man. Today, Jesus enlightens us with his Word revealing our history because he wants to make us capable of wisdom, science and intelligence in reading the signs of times. In this, there is a great difference between the Old Testament prophets and Jesus. Those helped people read the already given signs of times. Jesus helps us read the signs of the times that he will give, the future signs, those that will certainly be fulfilled. Let us read the prophet Joel.

Blow the trumpet in Zion, sound the alarm on my holy mountain! Let all who dwell in the land tremble, for the day of the Lord is coming; Yes, it is near, a day of darkness and of gloom, a day of clouds and somberness! Like dawn spreading over the mountains, a people numerous and mighty! Their like has not been from of old, nor will it be after them, even to the years of distant generations. Before them a fire devours, and after them a flame enkindles; Like the garden of Eden is the land before them, and after them a desert waste; from them there is no escape. Their appearance is that of horses; like steeds they run. As with the rumble of chariots they leap on the mountaintops; As with the crackling of a fiery flame devouring stubble; Like a mighty people arrayed for battle. Before them peoples are in torment, every face blanches. Like warriors they run, like soldiers they scale the wall; They advance, each in his own lane, without swerving from their paths. No one crowds another, each advances in his own track; Though they fall into the ditches, they are not checked. They assault the city, they run upon the wall, they climb into the houses; In at the windows they come like thieves. Before them the earth trembles, the heavens shake; The sun and the moon are darkened, and the stars withhold their brightness.

The Lord raises his voice at the head of his army; For immense indeed is his camp, yes, mighty, and it does his bidding. For great is the day of the Lord, and exceedingly terrible; who can bear it? Yet even now, says the Lord, return to me with your whole heart, with fasting, and weeping, and mourning; Rend your hearts, not your garments, and return to the Lord, your God. For gracious and merciful is he, slow to anger, rich in kindness, and relenting in punishment. Perhaps he will again relent and leave behind him a blessing, Offerings and libations for the Lord, your God. Blow the trumpet in Zion! proclaim a fast, call an assembly; Gather the people, notify the congregation; Assemble the elders, gather the children and the infants at the breast; Let the bridegroom quit his room, and the bride her chamber. Between the porch and the altar let the priests, the ministers of the Lord, weep, And say, “Spare, O Lord, your people, and make not your heritage a reproach, with the nations ruling over them! Why should they say among the peoples, ‘Where is their God?'” Then the Lord was stirred to concern for his land and took pity on his people. The Lord answered and said to his people: See, I will send you grain, and wine, and oil, and you shall be filled with them; No more will I make you a reproach among the nations. No, the northerner I will remove far from you, and drive him out into a land arid and waste, With his van toward the eastern sea, and his rear toward the western sea; And his foulness shall go up, and his stench shall go up. Fear not, O land! exult and rejoice! for the Lord has done great things. (Cf.Joel 2,1-27).

The prophecy of the old prophets was used to redeem the past. That of Jesus is all finalized to redeem the present. Tomorrow there will be no more time for redemption.

“There will be signs in the sun, the moon, and the stars, and on earth nations will be in dismay, perplexed by the roaring of the sea and the waves. People will die of fright in anticipation of what is coming upon the world, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. And then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. But when these signs begin to happen, stand erect and raise your heads because your redemption is at hand.” “Beware that your hearts do not become drowsy from carousing and drunkenness and the anxieties of daily life, and that day catch you by surprise like a trap. For that day will assault everyone who lives on the face of the earth. Be vigilant at all times and pray that you have the strength to escape the tribulations that are imminent and to stand before the Son of Man.”

With the coming of the Lord there is no longer any possibility of redemption. He is saved who has already been saved. He is lost who has already been lost. The time of mercy is over. There will only be time for the righteous judgment of God. Salvation comes from faith in the true prophecy.

Virgin Mary, Mother of the Redemption, Angels and Saints give us true faith in Jesus.