Third Sunday after the feast of the cross - The False Christs and The Return of the Son of Man
Gospel: Matthew: 24: 23-31
Reflection 1
Not the hour but the readiness
In this Sunday’s Gospel, Jesus reminds us not to be misled by false messiahs or dramatic claims, but to remain steadfast in faith. His coming will be unmistakable, touching the whole world, and the final judgment is not to be feared by those who live faithfully in Christ.
As Maronite Catholics, we are not people of fear—we are people of the Covenant and our faith is rooted in the living presence of Christ—through prayer, the Eucharist and service to others. We are called not to chase signs, but to become signs of His love in the world.
Living as if the Lord Is Coming Today
Jesus doesn’t give a date—He gives a way of life. Rather than speculating about the end, we are called to live each day in faithfulness and vigilance. How can we prepare for His coming in our daily actions, prayers and choices? Living attentively in love and service is the heart of the Gospel.
The Second Coming: A Beacon of Hope
The Second Coming is a beacon of hope, as Pope Benedict emphasised. It reminds Christians that the future is in God’s hands, allowing us to live the present with trust, courage and responsibility. It assures us that history is not moving toward chaos, but toward the fullness of God’s Kingdom.
Be prepared
What is required of me is not to know the hour of His coming, but to spend my life seeking what pleases Him, so that I may be ready whenever He comes. For He is always present: He is there in the hours of my prayer and worship—do I see Him? He is present in the need of my brother or sister—do I notice Him? He is present in my love, integrity, humility, joy, gladness, sorrow and pain—do I touch Him? Or do I hide behind theological questions that only the Father knows (Matthew 24:36), while neglecting my essential calling: to watch, to be vigilant, and to be prepared?
A Call to Eucharistic Watchfulness
While the Second Coming will be unmistakable, Christ comes to us now in the Eucharist—quietly, yet powerfully. Every Divine Liturgy is a moment of encounter with the Risen Lord. This Gospel is not just about the end of time, but about being awake to His presence in our daily lives, especially in the Sacraments.
The Temptation of Easy Salvation
People often seek quick solutions to life’s challenges, but Jesus warns against shortcuts to salvation. True transformation comes through daily faithfulness, humility and the cross.
A thought of the week-Live in Hope
You may be tempted to, but don't give up; when you have lost your desire to try, and you've misplaced your hopeful dreams, dare to believe again in the impossible; Catch a ray of sunshine, and hold on tightly; The God who holds your hand…will never let you go.
Gwen Simon
Reflection 2
The day of His coming
Today's Gospel contains a warning from Jesus to the Christian community to beware of false messiahs and prophets who will come to them claiming to speak in God's name. There is no need to depend on others to identify the coming of Jesus. It will be a public and cosmic event touching the whole world and the lives of everyone. But the final judgement is not a day to fear if one has lived his or her life faithful to the way of Christ.
This gospel not only teaches us about the last day, and the coming of the Son of Man, but also about what is required of the believer while waiting for Him. The question that nourishes faith is: what shall we do to prepare for the coming of the Lord every day, and not only on the last day? If this question is not answered because we are concerned about the time of the second coming and other issues, then we are turning away from the essence. Thus, our role is to be vigilant and prepared for His coming.
Prepare each day for the coming of Christ
Prayer, examination of conscience, frequent reception of the sacraments, reading scripture, all of these things help us to prepare for the end of time
A thought for the week
The Lord will ask us on the day of His coming about our love, as St. John the Crusader expresses, not about our degrees, knowledge, and the achievements that we have been proud of. This is the most important thing in God’s eyes to be humble and to have a pure loving heart.
“It is your arms, Jesus, that are the lift to carry me to heaven. And so there is no need for me to grow up: I must stay little and become less and less." St. Therese of the Child Jesus
Gospel: Matthew: 24: 23-31
Reflection 1
Not the hour but the readiness
In this Sunday’s Gospel, Jesus reminds us not to be misled by false messiahs or dramatic claims, but to remain steadfast in faith. His coming will be unmistakable, touching the whole world, and the final judgment is not to be feared by those who live faithfully in Christ.
As Maronite Catholics, we are not people of fear—we are people of the Covenant and our faith is rooted in the living presence of Christ—through prayer, the Eucharist and service to others. We are called not to chase signs, but to become signs of His love in the world.
Living as if the Lord Is Coming Today
Jesus doesn’t give a date—He gives a way of life. Rather than speculating about the end, we are called to live each day in faithfulness and vigilance. How can we prepare for His coming in our daily actions, prayers and choices? Living attentively in love and service is the heart of the Gospel.
The Second Coming: A Beacon of Hope
The Second Coming is a beacon of hope, as Pope Benedict emphasised. It reminds Christians that the future is in God’s hands, allowing us to live the present with trust, courage and responsibility. It assures us that history is not moving toward chaos, but toward the fullness of God’s Kingdom.
Be prepared
What is required of me is not to know the hour of His coming, but to spend my life seeking what pleases Him, so that I may be ready whenever He comes. For He is always present: He is there in the hours of my prayer and worship—do I see Him? He is present in the need of my brother or sister—do I notice Him? He is present in my love, integrity, humility, joy, gladness, sorrow and pain—do I touch Him? Or do I hide behind theological questions that only the Father knows (Matthew 24:36), while neglecting my essential calling: to watch, to be vigilant, and to be prepared?
A Call to Eucharistic Watchfulness
While the Second Coming will be unmistakable, Christ comes to us now in the Eucharist—quietly, yet powerfully. Every Divine Liturgy is a moment of encounter with the Risen Lord. This Gospel is not just about the end of time, but about being awake to His presence in our daily lives, especially in the Sacraments.
The Temptation of Easy Salvation
People often seek quick solutions to life’s challenges, but Jesus warns against shortcuts to salvation. True transformation comes through daily faithfulness, humility and the cross.
A thought of the week-Live in Hope
You may be tempted to, but don't give up; when you have lost your desire to try, and you've misplaced your hopeful dreams, dare to believe again in the impossible; Catch a ray of sunshine, and hold on tightly; The God who holds your hand…will never let you go.
Gwen Simon
Reflection 2
The day of His coming
Today's Gospel contains a warning from Jesus to the Christian community to beware of false messiahs and prophets who will come to them claiming to speak in God's name. There is no need to depend on others to identify the coming of Jesus. It will be a public and cosmic event touching the whole world and the lives of everyone. But the final judgement is not a day to fear if one has lived his or her life faithful to the way of Christ.
This gospel not only teaches us about the last day, and the coming of the Son of Man, but also about what is required of the believer while waiting for Him. The question that nourishes faith is: what shall we do to prepare for the coming of the Lord every day, and not only on the last day? If this question is not answered because we are concerned about the time of the second coming and other issues, then we are turning away from the essence. Thus, our role is to be vigilant and prepared for His coming.
Prepare each day for the coming of Christ
Prayer, examination of conscience, frequent reception of the sacraments, reading scripture, all of these things help us to prepare for the end of time
A thought for the week
The Lord will ask us on the day of His coming about our love, as St. John the Crusader expresses, not about our degrees, knowledge, and the achievements that we have been proud of. This is the most important thing in God’s eyes to be humble and to have a pure loving heart.
“It is your arms, Jesus, that are the lift to carry me to heaven. And so there is no need for me to grow up: I must stay little and become less and less." St. Therese of the Child Jesus