Dear friends in Christ

In the early Church there were some Christians who thought that the Second Coming of Christ was so imminent that they stopped bothering about everyday life. Saint Paul, in the second reading of Mass, laments this situation and tells them to get on with life. Our time on earth is short and our encounter with Jesus is near. We have to live with our eyes fixed on Heaven, our ultimate and permanent homeland. At the same time we are reminded in the liturgy of this Sunday, that we must be prepared for the judgement: our particular judgement and the final one at the end of the world. This has often been depicted as something terrible and dramatic. The reality is that it will be a personal encounter with our Saviour, when He will make it clear to us, and to everyone, what has been happening all along. Let us live each day in anticipation of the belief that we shall be judged with mercy, and that God has created us for Himself and to be with Him forever.

Next Sunday will be the feast of Christ the King, the final Sunday of the liturgical year; it is also National Youth Sunday and, as in previous years, our young people will provide the music and liturgical readings at the Vigil Mass on Saturday.

May God bless you all!

Msgr Kevin Hale