We prepare to prepare. As we approach Lent, we have four Pre Lenten Sundays, the third of which is the Sunday of the Last Judgment.

The readings these past few days have been preparing us for this Sunday, a reminder of Christ’s words about the Last Days and the Last Judgment. I have shared before that this focus is sometimes a struggle for me (which is probably a sign that I need to pay more attention, grin).

Yesterday’s reading was Mark 13:24-31:

24 But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light;
25 the stars of heaven will fall, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken.
26 Then they will see the Son of Man coming in the clouds with great power and glory.
27 And then He will send His angels, and gather together His elect from the four winds, from the farthest part of earth to the farthest part of heaven.
28 Now learn this parable from the fig tree: When its branch has already become tender, and puts forth leaves, you know that summer is near.
29 So you also, when you see these things happening, know that it is near-at the doors!
30 Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away till all these things take place.
31 Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away.

While contemplating this*, I had the great blessing of reading Amy Welborn’s most recent post. For those who don’t know, Amy is a fantastic Catholic blogger and writer who lost her husband far too young and unexpectedly last week. I have long appreciated Amy’s beautiful blogging, and my heart has hurt for her since I learned of his passing.

Her post focused on the Greek word euthus meaning immediately. It was a beautiful reflection on not only how her husband lived his life, but the immediacy that St. Mark’s Gospel is filled with.

Kapow. I was hit with the reason that we focus on the Last Judgment as we approach Lent (and as we approach Pascha on the other end of Lent) – the focus of the immediate. How Christ touches us in our lives each and every day, and how we approach him. And, how immediate the end of our lives is approaching.

May Michael’s Memory be Eternal. And may I live as he lived. Lord have Mercy.

*and also contemplating that in the Roman Catholic Church, these readings, IIRC, come during Advent.

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