There are several Jewish websites which offer suggestions as to what to do while waiting for the Messiah to come. Most advocate immersing oneself in Torah (the Bible) and doing good in the world in which we live. As Rabbi Harry A. Manhoff urges, “until the messiah comes let us plant trees and foster life.” Christians, too, can take this summons to heart.
However, Christians believe that the Messiah has already come. So why are we still waiting? And for what — or whom — are we waiting?
I am sometimes struck by how little time most of us Catholics spend pondering the Second Coming of Christ. This is puzzling, because we proclaim it every time we go to Mass. For example, here are three of the Memorial Acclamations:
- “Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come again.”
- “When we eat this bread and drink this cup, we proclaim your death, Lord Jesus, until you come in glory.”
- “Dying, you destroyed our death, rising you restored our life. Lord Jesus, come in glory.”
But more important than saying these words is the very action of receiving communion: “For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup,” says Paul in 1 Corinthians 11:26, “you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.” Our own call is to share in the mystery of Jesus’ life, death, resurrection – and expected return.
When should we expect the Second Coming?
A Talmudic story goes something like this: Rabbi Yehoshua ben Levi meets the prophet Elijah and asks him, “When is Messiah coming?”
“Go ask him,” says Elijah.
“But where will I find him, and how will I recognize him?” asks the good rabbi.
“He is sitting among the beggars,” answers Elijah.
Like the beggars, the Messiah also is covered with sores, but there is a difference, Elijah points out. When the others unbind their wounds, they unwrap them all at once, then bind them all up again. But the Messiah, instead of unwrapping all his wounds at once, unbinds just one at a time and then bandages that one up again right away. That is so he will be ready to make his appearance without delay, whenever he is called.
So Rabbi Yehoshua ben Levi finds the Messiah and asks him, “Master, when are you coming?”
“Today,” he replies.
Rabbi Yehoshua returns saddened to Elijah and tells him that the Messiah has lied to him.
“He said he was coming today — and he hasn’t come.”
But Elijah explains that he has misunderstood. The Messiah was referring to Psalm 95: “O that today you would listen to his voice.”
We too must listen for Christ and look for Christ today, at this very moment. Not that there is any use trying to figure out the date of his Second Coming, for “about that day and hour,” he has told us, “no one knows, neither the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father….Keep awake therefore, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming” (Matthew 24:36,42).
Perhaps he will come in glory within the next hour. On the other hand, perhaps he is calling us very quietly to let him come more fully into our hearts and into the daily events of our lives. If we are not paying attention, we may miss that silent coming.
Where should we look for his coming? Everywhere!
So, if they say to you, “Look! He is in the wilderness,” do not go out. If they say, “Look! He is in the inner rooms,” do not believe it. For as the lightning comes from the east and flashes as far as the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man.
(Matthew 24:26-27)
It seems that the Second Coming will be as obvious as lightning illuminating the whole
sky and the land beneath — and very unlike that obscure birth in a stable in Bethlehem. Nevertheless, I imagine that all our expectations will be surpassed.
In the meantime, we must be attentive and look for Christ where we may least expect him. He may be found, as he was for Rabbi Yehoshua ben Levi, among the beggars. He may make himself known to us today through a neighbor or a family member or someone whose beliefs are different from ours. He may come to us in an apparently insignificant event. Although the light of Christ already fills the earth, receiving him often requires being open to the surprises of the divine presence.
As we pray to be alert to the glorious appearing of Christ in the fullness of time, we ask also to be mindful of the holy Light that spreads over the most humble events of our lives, from east to west, from dawn to dusk, and through the night.
O that this very day we might listen to his voice. Come, Lord Jesus!
All-powerful God,
increase our strength of will for doing good
that Christ may find an eager welcome
at his coming
and call us to his side in the kingdom of heaven,
where he lives and reigns with you
and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.
Amen.Opening Prayer for the First Sunday of Advent
(The Roman Missal, Copyright © 1973, International Committee on English in the Liturgy, Inc.)
(Lightning image courtesy of Microsoft)