Coming in Clouds and Gathering His Elect
As we come to the end of the liturgical and calendar year the Church encourages us to think about the end of times. And this week’s Gospel captures this sentiment with the phrase in Mark 13: 24-32 ‘And then they will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory. And then he will send out the angels and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of heaven.’
After speaking of the calamities that will preceed this in both the heavens and the earth (read yesterday’s reflection), Jesus offers us consolation that He will not leave us orphans. He will come and gather us. This is comforting for many of us who have had calamities in our own lives this year. For many it has been a year of one crisis or another - loss of loved ones, health or jobs.
In the midst of these personal and collective struggles, Jesus’ promise reminds us that no matter how turbulent our year has been, God’s plan for gathering us is unshakable. The image of the Son of Man coming in glory assures us that Christ’s ultimate victory is not distant or detached from our pain but deeply connected to it.
Just as He overcame suffering through His cross and resurrection, He invites us to trust that our trials are not the end of the story. The gathering of his elect reflects God’s unwavering commitment to each of us—a reminder that we are seen, loved, and destined for eternal communion with Him. This assurance encourages us to persevere, holding fast to faith and hope as we await the fulfillment of His promise.
As we approach Christmas and His symbolic coming with great power and glory, let us brace ourselves for a ‘resurrection’ in our own lives. The year and calamities are coming to an end and even though they may leave us with deep scars we look forward with hope to Christmas and the New Year.
This Gospel phrase encourages us to have resilience. And we get resilience through prayer and an interior life of faith which anchors us in the promises of Christ, even when storms rage around us. Resilience does not mean avoiding hardships but facing them with the strength that comes from knowing we are never alone. Through prayer, we align our hearts with God’s will, drawing on His grace to navigate life’s challenges.
An interior life of faith nurtures the quiet confidence that Christ’s glory will break through our darkest moments, just as light overcomes darkness. As we prepare for Christmas, let us embrace this resilience, trusting in God’s power to bring about renewal and hope. May this Advent season inspire us to keep moving forward with faith, courage, and Hope that the Lord is gathering us into His eternal embrace.
I encourage you to get a copy of my book ‘A Season of Hope’ and start a journal with its guidance through Advent arriving at Christmas and the Epiphany with hope. You can get an ebook copy at the following link A Season of Hope Link
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