by Rev. Herbert Nichols

Last week I used the conversion of St. Augustine as an example of the Coming of Jesus relating to and transforming our lives by grace. But the concept of Jesus final coming at the end of time, far from the minds of most Christians today was very prominent for early Christians.

The Thessalonians, wanting to be prepared, or at least riot caught off guard wanted to know the exact day and hour, but like many people who know that Christmas is on December 25 nevertheless put off their shopping until the last minute.

Paul teaches that we simply cannot know the exact time when Jesus will return; for He said in the gospel: It will come like a thief in the night; at a time when you least expect it. The point of this comparison is to emphasize unpredictability, not fear. Christ will not come to rob us like a thief, but on the contrary to give us the greatest gift of eternal life.

As I said we don’t think much of the final days at this time but is it because we are overly concerned with the present or with the nebulous future, concerned about what is, or what might be. We so often get filled with tensions and uneasiness about inflation or recession, about our children, about the energy crisis.

In the midst of all these problems we are not to abdicate responsibilities, but to open our minds to grace to develop peace of mind.

You never know when something big might happen; but neither do you know what little things might happen--opportunities that come quietly to live your faith as you stand in the cash register lines with all your Christmas trappings or exiting the mall parking areas when traffic has formed grid-lock.

You may have even run into such opportunities as early as yesterday. To love someone who is unlovable; to find meaning where it seems impossible to find; to act courageously and patiently when road rage roars; to be a little more hopeful than most; to be a little more joyful; to be a little more kinder; to be a little more blinder to the faults of others.