HE WILL COME TO JUDGE THE LIVING AND THE DEAD
2 TIMOTHY 4:1-5
OPENING PRAYER (WELCOME GOD INTO OUR STUDY)
We pray, Come Lord Jesus. May we not be like the foolish virgins of Scripture (Matt 25:1) that let their lamps burn out. Fuel our lamps with your nourishment. Let our lights burn bright! Come Lord Jesus and reign in our hearts now and forever! AMEN!
CATECHESIS (STUDY THE FAITH)
REFERENCES FROM CATECHISM OF CATHOLIC CHURCH 2ND EDITION
CCC 659 – 664 The Ascension
CCC 668 – 677 He will come again in glory
CCC 678 – 679 To judge the living and the dead.
End times are much speculated about by novelists and TV shows. But no one knows, only the Father. Jesus spoke of end times in the Gospel of Mark, “But of that day or that hour, no one knows not even the angels in heaven nor the Son but only the Father.Mark.13:12
Jesus ascended into heaven 40 days after Easter. It may not have been literally 40 days because the Hebrews used the number 40 as a figure of speech for the perfect time for a mission to be accomplished. And certainly Jesus had accomplished his mission perfectly.
JESUS BLESSES HIS APOSTLES
AS HE ASCENDS INTO HEAVEN
LUKE 24:50
At the time of his Ascension, Christ warned his disciples that the present time is a time of the Spirit and witness. It is a time of waiting and watching. Like Jesus’ first disciples, we are soldiers of Christ, the Church militant, the faithful witnesses here on earth to all that Christ has given us.
“Before Christ comes again, the Church must endure many trials and persecutions. Many rosy colored plans for heaven on earth will be presented to draw eyes from the true heaven and the true kingdom of Jesus Christ.
Many will renounce their faith and jeopardize their immortal souls for expediency and false gods. The anti-Christ will be worshipped in place of God and will seduce many from their faith. “CCC 675
In the end, Jesus Christ will come again as he ascended, totally victorious and supreme king of heaven and earth. God’s final victory over evil will take the form of the Last Judgment.
The Father has given all judgment to the Son. “The Father judges no one but has given all judgment to the Son that all may honor the Son even as they honor the Father.” John 5:22
“Nothing is covered up that will not be known. Whatever you have said in the dark shall be heard in the light and what you have whispered in private rooms shall be proclaimed upon the house tops.” Luke 12:23
How will this judgment be conducted? We have a sneak preview in Matthew 25;
“Truly I say to you, as you did it to one of these least brethren, you did it to me.” (Mt. 25:40)
Our behavior towards our neighbor, especially whomever we consider least “loveable” will disclose our own acceptance or refusal of God’s grace and divine love. If we reject God’s grace and God’s love in this life, we have already judged and condemned ourselves.
The Son did not come into this world to judge but to save. “For God sent the Son into the world not to condemn the world but that the world might be saved through him. He who believes in him is not condemned; he who does not believe is already condemned.” John 3:17-18
CLOSING PRAYER (PRAY THE FAITH)
O my Jesus, King of glory and merciful judge, rule our hearts now that we may come to your judgment seat with hope and trust rather than fear and trembling. Lead us to witness your salvation and kingdom now on earth so that we may participate at the end of time in your glory in heaven. Amen.
LIFE APPLICATION (LIVE THE FAITH)
1. If I thought the world would come to an end in a year, what effect would that have on my life?    Are there changes I would make? What would I change?
2. Whatever you do to the least of my brethren you do to me. How am I doing loving the least of my brethren, those I don’t find lovable…those I envy…those I resent????
3. How will God judge me?… as I have judged others? How is my judging of others going?