Let the Scriptures Guide You

Here comes Sunday. It was time to get ready for the 5:30 PM Mass. We have been attending this Mass for nearly a year now. Thanks to this acquaintance at the dental clinic who introduced me to it. I mentioned in passing, how often we wound up in Concord to attend the 5:30 PM Mass on days we missed the Mass in Pittsburg and Antioch for whatever reason.

From what we have observed, many frequented this Mass. Finding a space to park closer to the church could pose a challenge. To avoid this issue, we do our best to leave enough wiggle room for it.

As the case may be that we spot a pew where the whole family could all sit together, it is another thing to thank God. I prefer sitting a few pews from the altar. The fourth or fifth row would be a Goldilocks spot for us.

As anticipated, the church was at near capacity when we got there. Very indicative that to get there on time, not missing out on the early part of the order of the Mass was important to most parishioners. It was non-negotiable. Imagine God's delight each time His people flocked to the church to listen to His Word eternal.

I think it is necessary to mention that I made this habit of gazing at Jesus on the cross for much of the time as I sat on the pew because the story started here.

Gazing at the cross helps me to focus. On many occasions, it helped bring my focus back to the Mass. We know how we can easily get distracted even when at church. If this is not true, why on Earth are there books or talks to help us work on our focus, especially during the Mass? It sure is nice to get our hands on those books or to listen to those talks as they become available, right? 

I think it has something to do with our attention span. Add to that the things that occupy our thoughts. 

Now, if you are guessing the story could be coming any moment now, then you guessed right.

As I have brought up above, my gaze was on Jesus. I do not know what had gotten into my head, but curiosity set in. To us Christians, we profess that Jesus will come again. It is a well-known Christian teaching supported by the Scriptures. And Christians that we are, we do what we can to prepare for His second coming, which begs this question, "When is it, really?"

Intently, in my head, I asked Jesus, "Lord, are You even coming again? If you are, then when, Lord? How much longer do we have to wait? Would You even come in my lifetime, because I want to see You already?"

Silly me, right? How dare I ask Jesus this, right? And some questions I already know the answer to these things.

I know that that is a "reflection" worthy of a frown. And, the fact that I did say I wanted to see Jesus already that I might as well leave this world soon as it is synonymous with dying. 

Believe it or not, I recall telling my husband how much I love him, but I love Jesus more. This was in 2013. I would be totally fine with dying any moment because that would mean having to be with Jesus.

This, though, had nothing to do with the curiosity I had earlier about Jesus' second coming. It just came out casual. I did my best to listen to the homily, by the way, because Father Roberto can make it nearly effortless.

Father Roberto, a Dominican, presided over the celebration of the Mass. Often, his homily had struck a nerve all because it had hit close to home hard to ignore. And why is that? Pretty simple, he gives sermons that awaken us from our slumber that at the conclusion of the sermon it was common to hear parishioners respond to it with a resounding "Amen." 

With that in mind, I appreciate all the effort and thoughtful consideration he put into his priestly life—for one, to give present-day relatable sermons. Homilies that, either led us to conscience examination, which by the way, we should exercise often, but also the kind that echoed some of our concerns and current situation. Also, homilies that at times confirmed our thoughts, invigorating the spirits just the same.

There had been at least one occasion that I recall where Father Roberto used visual aids such as props to give a sermon, which I thought was powerful. Sometimes it helps to utilize them to get the message across. The Dominican priests are known for this; hence, they are the Order of Preachers. Father Roberto had delivered some of the most moving sermons I have heard—tugging at the heartstrings. I am very thankful because how often have we gone to church hoping to find some enlightenment or encouragement? Father Roberto's homilies check all the boxes.

It is right to note that our Father in Heaven uses many channels to cast His light to lead us to that light where He is. This brings me to pray that He would bestow blessings that many more will enter the priesthood to feed souls with His Word.

Okay, now let me fast forward to when we arrived home.  Our Sunday routine goes like this: after Mass, we will sit down for dinner at home, most of the time. Of course, the clean-up is part of that, and then watch a good movie on Amazon Prime or a good show, news, even.

So, there I was, lounging on the couch. Commercial came. I picked up my phone to check on emails, texts, and yes—login to Facebook.

Whoa! Either my heart skipped a beat, or my heart leaped out of my chest! But, I know my eyes grew. I will tell you why that is.

I saw this beautiful image of Jesus, a lantern in one hand, casting a nice warm glow against the dark of the night. His other hand on the door—knocking. That image alone is very comforting. 

I have seen this image shared on Facebook many times now but with a different message or caption. Regardless, it brought cheer to a spent soul.

Alright. So, if I have seen this image in the past, though the message it carried was not the same as this time, illuminating just the same—you may be curious to ask why it surprised me. I get you, but before I go on, let me share the question I asked Jesus one more time. 

—"Lord, are You even coming again? If you are, then when, Lord? How much longer do we have to wait? Would You even come in my lifetime, because I want to see You already?"

Now, here is what it said in the image:

“But of that day and hour no one knows, neither the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone." (Matthew 24:36)

Jesus comes on the Father's authority, as we all know! The question I should be asking is, "Am I in the state of grace?"

Wow! Did it happen purely by chance?

I would not say that. How often have we made a phone call, but it went straight to voice mail? Everyone is busy these days as if there is more on our to-do than the hours in a day. It is common for our call, email, or text to be put on the side, especially when there is no urgency. Am I right?

This is the reason why I got all excited when I saw that Facebook post—it was THE response to my question, silly as it was to ask it. I had zero expectations that Jesus would answer that, to give me a reply that I already had the answer. I guess, I just wanted to know if His second coming happens in my lifetime. But, how interesting that when I thought it was no biggie to Jesus all along—Jesus' reply was already winging its way to my Facebook newsfeed before I even realized it. Amazing stuff, isn't it?

For this type of moment, as I thought best, a pattern emerges, Jesus cares so much more than we thought. Even silly thoughts that would otherwise potentially raise concern for our salvation, He attends to them with great care out of great love for us. His death on the cross is THE front and center of our redemption. Such a price He paid, right? 

I do not think for a second that Jesus would instead choose to let His sacrifices go in vain by not intervening. Such as when curiosities lurk in our heads, let alone confusions that make us question our faith when He could come to our aid after all.

There is a seed in each one of us. That seed is the faith that connects us to the Father and His will for us. When that seed thrives, the heavenly court rejoices.

With that said, isn't it very telling that Jesus is uncomfortable with our uncertainties? My take? I think this will only make room for the enemy of the soul to use it and feed us his little lies, delaying if not altogether, crushing it.

With all of our preoccupations, the chances are very high that it could catch us unaware of Jesus' second coming. Exercising care is a must, but one we sometimes neglect to give much thought to. 

This encourages me to thumb through all the pages, revisit chapters, and ponder more often. And, I am sure as I do this pondering, it will help me remember some of the great leaps that are more than sufficient to take the sting out of some of life's disappointments.

To journal these things and now to blog about them, in a way, I am ministering to myself. It helps me find healing. I think that Jesus takes great pleasure when the focus is more on the times He proved Himself to be in our midst. 

Do I see what I want to see? Nah, I do not think that for a moment. Neither do I believe in coincidences. But, I do believe in moments of God-incidences.

Now is your turn to share your stories ingrained with a heavenly touch. Shoot me a message, I’d love to hear your thoughts. 

Many blessings!