The BreadCast

(Rv.11:4-12; Ps.144:1,2,9-10; Lk.20:27-40) "After three and a half days, the breath of life which comes from God returned to them." And these his two witnesses "went up in a cloud as their enemies looked on" "in sheer terror." For it seemed they had "conquer[ed] and kill[ed]" the Lord's prophets. Their corpses had lain "in the streets of the great city, which has the symbolic name 'Sodom' or 'Egypt,' where also their Lord was crucified." Fire had "come out of the mouths of these witnesses to devour their enemies," but now it seemed the truth had been overcome and sin and death had won the day. And so "the earth's inhabitants gloat[ed] over them and in their merriment exchange[d] gifts." But their death, as with the death of the Lord, was not to last, was only to show the absolute power of the God of life. And fire comes from Jesus' mouth today to silence the evil conjurings of the enemies of life. His word is truth and cannot be answered, cannot be gainsaid by even the most unbelieving mind. And what He tells all today is that "the dead rise again," that death has no dominion in the kingdom of the living God. The Lord is "the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob," and these fathers of the faith along with the prophets and saints of any and all time "are alive for Him," for He is but Life: in His reign all His children "become like angels and are no longer liable to death. Sons of the resurrection, they are sons of God." This truth cannot be denied, will not be conquered. "Blessed be the Lord, my rock, who trains my hands for battle, my fingers for war." It is He who is "my shield, in whom I trust, who subdues peoples under me." As He was with His only Son, giving Him victory in every battle and final victory over death; as He was with His witnesses who devoured their enemies' lies and rose from the dust after three and a half days; so He is with all who put their trust in Him, enabling them to conquer all doubt and fear, all surrounding sin and death. For Jesus crucified sits now at the right hand of God, and His witnesses with Him; and all who take their refuge in His power, though they die, cannot but rise to life. Yes, they will hear "a voice from heaven say to them, 'Come up here!'" and will again have the breath of life. Alleluia! (Note on "three and a half days": more than its obvious similarity to the three days the Lord spent "in the heart of the earth" (Mt.12:40) may be an allusion to His approximately thirty-five years spent on this earth (which is half the span of a human life – "seventy is the sum of our years" (Ps.90:10)), itself a kind of death for Him.) ******* O LORD, let us be set free from death; raised from the grave, may we praise your NAME forever with your angels and your saints. YHWH, what need we fear if you are with us, you who hold even death in your hand? If we serve as your witnesses, we will be united to you who are life; and even though we die, in the sight of our enemies, in the sight of the devil and death itself, we shall be raised up to Heaven on a cloud. You are our refuge! With you as our stronghold, LORD, with you as our God, we shall indeed gain victory over all the forces of evil – nothing shall keep us from you who desire our presence in your kingdom. Make us as your Son who has died and been raised; make us sons of the resurrection, like angels, no longer subject to death. This is our hope, O LORD; this is our desire… Let us not wait long for Jesus' return. Then we shall be one in your presence, your holy children, O Most High God. Then we shall celebrate forever your glory in Heaven, all our enemies cast far away.

(Rv.10:8-11; Ps.119:14,24,72,103,111,131; Lk.19:45-48) "I gasp with open mouth in my yearning for your commands." In our first reading, John is told to "take the open scroll from the hand of the angel" and to "eat it." In his mouth "it tasted as sweet as honey." And now he who has eaten of the blessed word of God "must prophesy," must speak the words upon the scroll, despite the sour stomach, the persecutions, it will inevitably bring. In our gospel we hear that "the entire populace was listening to [Jesus] and hanging on His words" as He taught daily in the temple. The Lord has cleansed the temple of the impure forces at work within it, and for this and for His speaking the irresistible words of Truth He shall know the sour stomach of persecution – the cross is now quite close on the horizon as the leaders of the people seek "a way to destroy Him." O Lord, "how sweet to my palate are your promises, sweeter than honey to my mouth!" "The law of your mouth is to me more precious than thousands of gold and silver pieces." "Your decrees are my delight," "the joy of my heart," and despite the cross I find in consuming and then having to proclaim them, I shall not cease to eat of your glorious presence. Day to day you come to me. Moment to moment you whisper in my ear. You speak to my heart your wondrous promises, instilling faith and hope in my soul, and I shall not turn back from loving you. May all "peoples, nations, languages, and kings" know of your greatness; may all embrace the inheritance you offer by the death of sin in our lives. Open your mouth, brothers and sisters, and He will fill it. He will feed you with the food that comes without cost; the sweet Bread of Heaven shall be yours. Even at His altars and from His pulpits it is today offered forth. Eat, and it will bring life to your soul, life that lasts beyond the destruction of the world. ******* O LORD, let us listen devoutly to your Word that we might be cleansed of sin and made whole in your sight. YHWH, your words are sweeter to us than honey, and your NAME the sweetest Word of all. Speak to our soul this very day; let us hear your truth in our heart, though it bring persecution and trial. As your Son let us be, O LORD, unafraid of the Cross which comes from doing your will. Let our concern be to cleanse your Temple, to make your House a house of prayer, though it bring the body's destruction. We are in your Temple, O LORD, and you call us to eat of your words and partake of your Son's Body and Blood. This gives life to our very spirits, a life that does not pass away. Be our inheritance, all that we desire in this land. LORD, we are unworthy to proclaim your words, to receive them in our souls and speak them to the world. How can we prophesy in your holy NAME? Let your Son be with us every step of the way; may His blood strengthen our service.

(Rv.5:1-10; Ps.149:1-6,9,Rv.5:10; Lk.19:41-44) "Do not weep. The Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has won the right by His victory to open the scroll with its seven seals." "Jesus wept over" Jerusalem "because [she] failed to recognize the time of [her] visitation"; and so she will be destroyed, and so her enemies will "leave not a stone on a stone within" her walls. And John "wept bitterly because no one could be found to open or examine the scroll" "in the right hand of the One who sat on the throne." The scroll "had writing on both sides and was sealed with seven seals." How wonderful it must be! But "who is worthy to open" it? The tears of both will be appeased, both by the One. For whom does John see appear at the throne of God but "a Lamb standing, a Lamb that had been slain" – Jesus, our Savior! who is on His way even in our gospel today to conquer death, to receive the wounds John witnesses, that by His blood He may purchase for God "men of every race and tongue, of every people and nation"… that He might take the destruction of Jerusalem upon Himself and thus redeem her from annihilation. Because of His sacrifice, He is able to read the wisdom of the ages to all waiting hearts, for that wisdom is known only in such dying, only in His redeeming love. And so, let us join with the elders who fall "down before the Lamb." Let our prayer unite with "the prayers of God's holy people," which rise up like "aromatic spices" before the throne of the One on high. Let us sing the new hymn unto the Lamb who was slain for our sins and so saved us from all tears. "Sing to the Lord a new song of praise in the assembly of the faithful." Weep no more but "let the high praises of God be in [your] throats" and "praise His name in the festive dance." How great is our God! How profound is the revelation of His wonders in our midst! What joy do we find in His blood! His wounds bring us victory over death, and we reign now in the New Jerusalem as priests in the service of our King, joining ourselves ever to His sacrifice, finding ever the wisdom only He brings. ******* O LORD, offering the sacrifice of your only Son, we become priests in your Temple; this blood we shed He makes holy by His love. YHWH, you have made us a kingdom of priests who offer continually to you the blood of your Son in our holy prayer. O LORD, it is we who have slaughtered Jesus, your Lamb, we who by our blindness have caused Him to be pressed hard from every side, not a stone left on a stone in this holiest Temple… Yet by His willing acceptance of our sins He washes clean the blood upon our unholy hands and redeems our souls from destruction. By His blessed sacrifice He makes us holy, as holy becomes the sacrifice we make. O how can we fathom your love for us, dear LORD? How can we plumb the depths of your Son's sacrifice? We are left with nothing but high praises for you in our throat! O LORD, let us exult in your glory this day, in the glory that is ours by the wounds upon your Lamb. Make us a nation of priests offering always this living sacrifice in your NAME. Let us ever praise you and the One who was slain – save us from all sin!

(Rv.4:1-11; Ps.150:1-6,Rv.4:8; Lk.19:11-28) "O Lord our God, you are worthy to receive glory and honor and power." "A man of noble birth went to a faraway country to become its king." And of this faraway country and of its king, whom "everything that has breath" should praise, John has vision today. "Above me there was an open door to heaven"; and a "trumpetlike voice" called the great Evangelist, "Come up here and I will show you what must take place in time to come." And so, "caught up in ecstasy" he sees the "One whose appearance ha[s] a gemlike sparkle," the Lord of all, seated upon His throne. And on twenty-four thrones surrounding this King he sees the elders, "clothed in white" with "crowns of gold on their heads," sharing in their Master's Kingship. And the four living creatures are at the center, singing, "without pause": "Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty!" And ever do the elders worship Him and join in the song of praise which rises continually to the One through whom all things "came to be." "Praise the Lord in His sanctuary… praise Him for His sovereign majesty," for He reigns justly over all and is indeed worthy of all praise. "With the blast of the trumpet… with lyre and harp… with clanging cymbals" – with every instrument that is placed in our hands, with all the talents He provides here as we wait for His return, we must join in the song of the angels and the saints in the heavenly kingdom and praise His holy Name. For He will seek "to learn what profit each [has] made" when He returns to us from His journey. He will "send for the servants to whom He [has] given" His possessions, and call them to account in His love. Will our deeds then praise "His mighty deeds"? Glorious is the kingdom of the Lord, and blessed are they who join Him in such marvelous glory. These He puts in charge of His cities; with these He shares His crown and His throne. And everywhere He has a right to reap, for only He does so in love – and there is nowhere He has not sown. All are invited into His radiant presence: to all He gives gifts that will bring them there. And but for their employment does He wait, that they might learn to praise His glory. Follow Him as He continues "with His ascent to Jerusalem," and the cross He meets in this city will lead you to the light of paradise. ******* O LORD, let us rejoice in serving you all our days, and praise you forever in your kingdom. YHWH, let all your creatures give you praise: by your will we came to be and were made. We are in your hands; by all that is at our hands may we give you glory and honor and praise. May we know the blessing of praising you with full voice. Before you let us bow, O God; before you let us throw down our crowns. All we have is from you alone – let us return it to you with great profit. May your glory be multiplied in us and we enter your holy City with joy. Holy are you and worthy of all our praise, and by our praise we enter your glory. Who are we, O LORD, that you place talents in our hands? Who are we that you would put a crown upon our heads? Are we to be even as your Son, our King and Savior? Is His reward to be our own? For this gift we could not praise you enough, and so we shall praise you forever.

(Rv.3:1-6,14-22; Ps.15:2-5,Rv.3:21; Lk.19:1-10) "Today salvation has come to this house." To two of His houses, two of His seven churches, does the Lord speak today, calling them both to repentance, that they might know the salvation Zacchaeus has found. In no uncertain terms does the Lord call the churches in Sardis and Laodicea, chastising both dearly, telling the first: "I know the reputation you have of being alive, when in fact you are dead!" and the second (who think themselves "so rich and secure that [they] want for nothing"): "How wretched you are, how pitiable and poor, how blind and naked!" In Sardis there are only "a few persons who have not soiled their garments"; and the Laodiceans, who are "neither hot nor cold," are promised by the Lord, "I will spew you out of my mouth!" All the unfaithful, all those who have lost their fervor and who pride themselves on their own works shall be spewed from the Lord's mouth, shall be cast from His presence. All He calls to "wake-up," to "repent," to "buy white garments in which to be clothed, if the shame of [their] nakedness is to be covered." All He summons to rouse themselves in sharpest and truest of words, for "whoever is dear to [Him] [He] reprove[s] and chastise[s]" – for He knows that only by the jettisoning of our sin will we find the salvation He so dearly desires for each of our lives. Brothers and sisters, the Lord "stand[s] knocking at the door. If anyone hears [Him] calling and opens the door, [He] will enter his house." And He will sup with him, and He will sit him on His own throne. Listen to the promise our Lord makes: "The victor shall go clothed in light. I will never erase his name from the book of the living, but will acknowledge him in the presence of my Father and His angels." And see how the promise is fulfilled in Zacchaeus, who in his great fervor "climbed a sycamore tree which was along Jesus' route, in order to see Him"; who in his great generosity promised "to give half of [his] belongings" to the poor – and who has had the Lord in to sup in his home and has heard the blessed words spoken over him: "Today salvation has come to this house." And so, strive with all you have to be as "he who walks blamelessly and does justice, who thinks the truth in his heart and slanders not with his tongue." Let His chastisement bear blessed fruit in your life; turn from your sin… and you too will know the victory the Lord Himself has won for all faithful souls. ******* O LORD, save us from our sin by your chastising Word, that we might walk in white before you. YHWH, let us hear and heed your Word: let us repent of all our sin that we might enter in and sup with your Son. Do we not have ears, O LORD, and should we not have hearts set on you and the doing of your will? And yet, are we not lacking in zeal, are we not pitiable and poor in accomplishing your work? Are we not dead? Have we not soiled our garments instead of purifying our souls to receive your blessings? O how shall we turn from our sin to your Son's presence among us? Save us, O LORD, from the thought that we are safe and secure, from putting our faith in the riches we amass in this world. Let us know and remember the only true riches are of the Spirit and come to us only by your grace. And only by your grace do they remain. Make our hearts blameless, dear LORD; cover over our nakedness with your white garments, and we shall rejoice in your glory.

(Rv.1:1-4,2:1-5; Ps.1:1-4,6,Rv.2:7; Lk.18:35-43) "Jesus of Nazareth was passing by." A blind man sat begging by the side of the road. "Hearing a crowd go by the man asked, 'What is that?'" And he was told that "Jesus drew near," that all he could possibly ask for was upon him – and so he begged with the greatest sincerity he could muster. And as the end of the Church year approaches, we hear from the Lord's beloved "servant John" "the revelation God gave to Jesus Christ"; he "bears witness to the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ," telling us truly that "the appointed time is near," that He "who is and who was and who is to come" is passing by the way. It is time to call out to Him, and know His healing touch. To the church in Ephesus specifically, the Lord instructs His apostle to speak today, to commend the disciples there on their "patient endurance" and their lack of tolerance for "wicked men," and to call them back to their "early love… the heights from which [they] have fallen"; thus do they need to "repent," to call out themselves to the Lord for renewal of their innocent hearts and their burning love for God. You see, all have their own reason to call out to Jesus as He passes by. What need have you to call upon the Lord's Name as He passes by here at the end of days? Do you walk at every point in "the way of the just," or are you somehow blind to His presence, or are you in some way cold in your love? Or have you any of innumerable other sins that keep you from His kingdom? Be careful. The time is indeed short, and we are indeed sinners – and Jesus is indeed still passing by to heal us. Do not be afraid to cry out to Him, to leave "the company of the insolent" and find His redeeming graces. Let the light of faith burn in your soul that you might know "the One who holds the seven stars in His right hand and walks among the seven lampstands of gold." His holy light is coming now upon the earth, and you must join yourself to it. "Jesus, Son of David, have pity on me!" ******* O LORD, heal us of all our sin that we might walk in the way of your Son. YHWH, grant us vision to see the appointed time is near and Jesus is passing by to heal us of our blindness, to return us to our early love. And let us not be afraid to cry out to Him. Bring us healing, Lord Jesus, for you have come from the Father and pass through our midst this day. To us you bring His surpassing love; may we join ourselves to it and follow you along your way. You speak to us by your Spirit, LORD; you inspire your apostles with your Word. You teach us of the way to you, and that with all our heart we should walk it. Help us to meditate on your Law day and night; ever let us dwell in your light. Make us always fruitful, LORD, as we delight in serving you. Let our hearts cry out in joy for the blessings you bestow on faithful souls. Make us your own and let us enter your glory.

(Dn.12:1-3; Ps.16:5,8-11; Heb.10:11-14,18; Mk.13:24-32) "He will send out the angels and gather His elect from the four winds, from the end of the earth to the end of the sky." On that Day "the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will be falling from the sky." On that Day we "will see 'the Son of Man coming in the clouds' with great power and glory." "It shall be a time unsurpassed in distress," but "everyone who is found written in the book" of Life "shall escape"; all His chosen He shall rescue. For He will not "suffer [His] faithful one to undergo corruption," but "show [him] the path to life" and give him "fullness of joys in [His] presence." Brothers and sisters, the Lord has taken "His seat forever at the right hand of God; now He waits until His enemies are made His footstool." Though "He has made perfect forever those who are being consecrated" and "there is no longer offering for sin," the time is yet to be fulfilled for all His chosen to partake of His "one sacrifice for sins" – He who is our "allotted portion and [our] cup" must be drunk to the full by all His elect, must be made perfect as He by joining in His sacrifice. And though "He is near, at the gates," ready to break in upon our world in His time and according to His ways, yet "this generation will not pass away until all these things have taken place": all the tribulations must come upon this earth, and all His children must be made ready for His Day. Brothers and sisters, He "hold[s] fast [our] lot" and "with Him at [our] right hand [we] shall not be disturbed." "Heaven and earth will pass away, but [His] words will not pass away," and it is in His word we trust. So let your heart and soul rejoice and your body abide "in confidence" for "the wise shall shine brightly like the splendor of the firmament" on the Day of the Lord's return. We shall not join those who "shall be an everlasting horror and disgrace" but "shall live forever" in the light of His face. Hear the word the Lord speaks to your heart; see the signs before your eyes. Join yourself to His holy sacrifice, and you shall know "the delights at [His] right hand forever" in heaven where He now reigns. Written, read & chanted, and produced by James Kurt. Music: "Salvation Army" from Bearing the Birth Pangs, tenth album of Songs for Children of Light, by James Kurt. ******* O LORD, let us shine brightly in Jesus' presence when He comes. YHWH, how could we escape the judgment coming upon the face of the earth and stand in your presence forever except that Jesus has offered His sacrifice for our sins and now waits with you in Heaven for us to turn to Him and join you there? He is our assurance of your blessing. When He returns again may we be found ready to be gathered to you. Send your angels forth, O LORD, to save us from all tribulation, to strengthen us to stand in peace even as the stars fall from the sky. The darkness let us not fear; rather, let us be purged by it of all our attachment to this forsaken place. O let us not be counted among those who have forsaken you! Abandon us not to the nether world, but let our souls rejoice in the light of your face – let us shine with you forever. The path to life you show us, LORD, that we might find the fullness of joy in your presence. Open our eyes and hearts to your glorious coming.

(3Jn.5-8; Ps.112:1-6; Lk.18:1-8) "When the Son of Man comes, will He find any faith on the earth?" So beset by weakness are we on this earth, brothers and sisters. So doubtful, so fearful… so seemingly without help, alone. And so our faith does falter, and so we do fall. And we wonder, "Where is God?" But the Son asks us today where we are. He emphasizes "the necessity of praying always and not losing heart." Why should we think that God does not listen to us? If the corrupt judge can give justice to the widow who begs him constantly for her "rights against [her] opponent," "will not God then do justice to His chosen who call out to Him day and night?" Do we make Jesus a liar by failing to believe in the Lord's "swift justice"? Is this corrupt judge more reliable than He? And listen to what John writes to Gaius. He says to him, "You demonstrate fidelity by all that you do for the brothers." He has "testified to [his] love before the church" by caring for its members. And John now asks this beloved disciple to support those who pass through his neighborhood carrying the message of the Gospel to the nations, to "help them continue on their journey." And we can be assured that this child of God does continue to demonstrate his generosity, that "he is gracious and merciful and just" toward his brothers in their need. And if this man "dawns through the darkness, a light for the upright," shall the Lord Himself then leave us alone when we call out to Him in our need? Why are we of such little faith? Why do we so easily falter in our trust of the Lord's protection, of His grace at work upon our souls and His providential hand in our lives? If weak human beings can give aid to those in distress, cannot God? Are not all "wealth and riches… in His house"; does He not hold all the world and all our souls in His loving hand? Then why should we be afraid? Why should we think He does not answer our prayer? It is not because He is not listening that we have not the good we desire – this lack is from our lack of faith. Brothers and sisters, be encouraged by the Lord today to never give up hope, to never give up our petitions to the Lord. He does not need to be worn down, but is ready at every moment to help us. Seek but to believe in Him. ******* O LORD, your Son will come to us as the answer to our prayers – let us do all we can this day to bring Him here. YHWH, why have we not faith in your care for our souls? Why do we so easily cease praying to you? Do we not think that you can answer our calls? Those who follow in your way care for those in need, and so should we not trust that you watch over us this day? O LORD, take our lack of faith from us; let us cease to doubt your loving concern. Help us to open our mouths and cry to you, who know what we need before we ask. For if we do not ask, you cannot answer – how can a prayer be answered that is not made? You wait for us to turn to you… let us do so this day in faith. And let us then treat others as you treat us; let us respond in generosity to their needs. Let us be ready to help your children on their way, that your work might be accomplished on this earth. Your light break forth upon all just souls.

(2Jn.4-9; Ps.119:1-2,10-11,17-18; Lk.17:26-37) "Anyone who remains rooted in the teaching possesses both the Father and the Son." While "anyone who is so 'progressive' that he does not remain rooted in the teaching of Christ does not possess God." Rather, he possesses but the emptiness of this earth. And what is this teaching so necessary for our salvation, for knowing and possessing the Lord our God? It is indicated clearly in John's request of the Lady to whom he writes (whom we may take as the Church herself): "Let us love one another." Here is the commandant we "have heard from the beginning," which we need to find rooted in our hearts – this "commandant is the way in which [we] should walk." For "happy are they… who walk in the law of the Lord… who observe His decrees, who seek Him with all their hearts"; for they shall find Him, and they shall possess Him forever. Love has come, brothers and sisters: Jesus Christ has "come in the flesh." And though the people in the days of Noah and in the days of Lot were particularly wicked and meriting condemnation from the Lord, they at that time did not have the Son of God come in their midst. And so if their punishment was great for turning from the way and the call of God, how much greater will be our own if we set our hearts on the possessions of this land and thereby lose Him whose love knocks upon the door of our hearts? It is now among those who deny Him as if they stand under the brightness of the noonday sun and say, "I see no light. I feel not its heat." If we refuse to open our eyes to what is so obvious, what punishment will be enough for our souls? Learn the lesson of the two men sleeping and the two women "grinding grain together." Though they lie and sit or stand in close proximity to one another in this place, seeming no different one from the next, yet "one will be taken and the other left." While one flies up to the reaches of heaven, the other will rot like a carcass on earth. And why? Who can tell which one says within his heart, "I treasure your promise, that I might not sin against you," and which has turned his heart from the Lord? "On the day the Son of Man is revealed," so will be the thoughts of all hearts. And He who is Love alone will know who owns the love He alone imparts. He will say who has walked in His teaching. ******* O LORD, your Son calls us from our earthly lot to your kingdom on high – let us walk His way of love that leads there this day. YHWH, let us walk in your way, in the way your Son has marked out for us, He who has come in the flesh to show us indeed how we should live, how we should walk in this world. And your way, O LORD, the way Jesus has trod, is the way of love. This is your commandment to all souls; this is the truth He has revealed to all eyes. And love is not turning to our own desires, putting faith in our possessions, in the empty things of this earth, but rather the laying down of our lives and all these things about us that we might come to you and serve you alone with all our lives. Let us not be blind, dear LORD, to your Son's coming and to your command. Let us not continue in ignorance even as He stands at the gate. Our very flesh let us give to you that the flesh we might transcend as we walk in purity with your Son. Take us unto Heaven on the Day of His return.

(Philm.7-20; Ps.146:7-10; Lk.17:20-25) "The reign of God is already in your midst." Brothers and sisters, Jesus the Christ has come, He has "suffer[ed] much and be[en] rejected by the present age"… and He has risen. This is all you need to know. There is no need for "careful watching when the reign of God will come," for it is not "a matter of reporting that it is 'here' or 'there'" – it is among us today. And when it shall be fulfilled, you will never know. "Through you the hearts of God's people have been refreshed," Paul writes to Philemon: does the kingdom of heaven not come through this man? "Refresh this heart of mine," the Apostle adds – does he not call for an increased manifestation of the kingdom? A slave has stolen from his master and run away. Paul has discovered him and now calls him, "My child whom I have begotten during my imprisonment." The slave has run to the prisoner and found freedom; does not the kingdom of God come to this place? And certainly Philemon will accept his slave back as a brother in the Lord, his arms open like the father of the prodigal son… how the Lord does work among us. And our psalm presents a litany of the Lord's work: yes, "the Lord sets captives free," as we see in our first reading; but whenever the eyes of the blind are opened or the widow and the stranger are cared for, whenever justice is secured and the hungry are fed… the Lord is at work, His kingdom comes. This world is in His hands, after all, and whenever love is "freely bestowed" by any of us toiling upon this earth, the Lord shows Himself indeed in the beat of our heart and our arms open wide. It is not difficult to see. You must remember, my brothers and sisters, that all prophecy has been fulfilled; all revelation is complete in the coming of the Son of God, in His death and in His resurrection. There is nothing left to await but the final day, a Day about which false prophets conjecture and faithless souls run anxiously about to find, only moving themselves further from its presence. "The Son of Man in His day will be like the lightning that flashes from one end of the sky to the other" – don't worry, you will not miss it; nor can you mistake it. Your purpose in the meantime is to spend yourself bringing His kingdom to this earth in the love you share with your neighbor. In such love come only from Christ, the kingdom is already here. ******* O LORD, let us be useful to you in these days before your Son's return – let us bring your presence to this world. YHWH, make us useful to you and to your Church, that we might serve to bring your kingdom to this dark world of persecution, to this prison in which we dwell. Though we be apart from you as long as we are in the flesh, let us do your work while here, and captives will be set free. You are with us, LORD, in those who give sight to the blind, in those who instruct the ignorant and lead them to your love. May we be brought to share in your surpassing love! Help us to feed the hungry and care for the fatherless and widows. May every stranger be welcomed into the arms of your Church. Then we shall find a home in this world, a dwelling place in your arms, O LORD. Though there be suffering every day, you will be with us through it all; your Son will bear every blow in our stead, and we will come in this way to your eternal dwelling. Let us have no fear about His return, for He is with us in this prison.