Gospel: Luke 21: 25-28, 34-36
Religion has two fundamental roles that are useful for our spiritual progress. The first is the reminder of who we are as a people of God. Religion reminds us that we are made in the image and likeness of God, that we are another Christ to the world, a temple of the Holy Spirit. We are vessels in which God dwells, the temple God made for worship and service in the world.
The second role religion plays is as a constant invitation to be aware of the presence of God in the world and in our lives. When we connect this role to the first, we discover God's presence in the lives of every person we encounter. Each meeting with another person is a graced event where God reveals something to us about ourselves and about God as well. It is for us to continually reflect on these moments of grace.
If religion is successful at these two roles, then the fear of apocalyptic is not necessary. We are not so focused on the ever elusive second coming and preparing in fear for that when we have come to discover God already present among us. If we honor God's presence in other people, we have no fear of a second coming, for we have lived faithfully as the other Christ which God made us to be.
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