maranatha

marana tha - Come, Lord
maran atha - Our Lord comes

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And I heard, but I understood not: then said I, O my Lord, what shall be the end of these things?
Daniel 12:8

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Today is the start of Advent for most Catholics, but today's readings seem more an anticipation of our Lord's return at the end of all days than a remembrance of His coming in Bethlehem 2000 years ago.

First reading:
The days are coming, says the LORD,
when I will fulfill the promise
I made to the house of Israel and Judah.
In those days, in that time,
I will raise up for David a just shoot;
he shall do what is right and just in the land.
In those days Judah shall be safe
and Jerusalem shall dwell secure;
this is what they shall call her:
“The LORD our justice.”

From the second reading:
May the Lord make you increase and abound in love
... so as to strengthen your hearts,
to be blameless in holiness before our God and Father
at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his holy ones.

From the Gospel:
“And then they will see the Son of Man
coming in a cloud with power and great glory.
But when these signs begin to happen,
stand erect and raise your heads
because your redemption is at hand. ...
Beware that your hearts do not become drowsy
from carousing and drunkenness
and the anxieties of daily life,
and that day catch you by surprise like a trap.
For that day will assault everyone
who lives on the face of the earth.
Be vigilant at all times
and pray that you have the strength
to escape the tribulations that are imminent
and to stand before the Son of Man.”

maranatha