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Thursday, August 26, 2021

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1 Thessalonians 3:7-13
Psalm 90:3-5, 12-14, 17
Matthew 24:42-51

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are you ready?

“You must be prepared.” —Matthew 24:44

Jesus is coming back to take us with Him (Jn 14:3). No one can know the exact day or hour of Jesus’ return (Mt 24:42). He will return at the time we least expect (Mt 24:44). Therefore, we must be always ready. We are ready for Jesus’ second and final coming when:

1)      We are faithful, farsighted servants (Mt 24:45).

2)      We are working to feed people physically and/or spiritually (Mt 24:46).

3)      Our hearts have been strengthened and made blameless and holy (1 Thes 3:13).

4)      We have accepted Jesus’ salvation (2 Pt 3:15).

5)      We are “without stain or defilement, and at peace” in God’s sight (2 Pt 3:14).

6)      We are singing and praising the Lord (see Rv 19:1ff).

7)      We are “pure and follow the Lamb [Jesus] wherever He goes” (Rv 14:4).

8)      We have washed our robes in the blood of the Lamb and survived the great period of trial (Rv 7:14).

9)      We have guarded our spirits against “indulgence and drunkenness and worldly cares” (Lk 21:34).

10) We are praying constantly (Lk 21:36; cf 1 Thes 5:17).

Are you ready for Jesus to come back now? Maranatha! “Come, Lord Jesus!” (Rv 22:20)

Prayer:  Jesus, come back now or as soon as possible.

Promise:  “May the Lord increase you and make you overflow with love for one another and for all.” —1 Thes 3:12

Praise:  James attends daily Mass and goes to Confession monthly. Thereby he lives in readiness for every opportunity the Lord brings his way.

Reference:  (For a related teaching on Am I Going to Heaven?, order, listen to, or download our CD 54-3 or DVD 54 on our website.)

Rescript:  "In accord with the Code of Canon Law, I hereby grant the Nihil Obstat for the publication One Bread, One Body covering the time period from August 1, 2021 through September 30, 2021. Reverend Steve J. Angi, Vicar General, Chancellor, Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio January 12, 2021"

The Nihil Obstat ("Permission to Publish") is a declaration that a book or pamphlet is considered to be free of doctrinal or moral error. It is not implied that those who have granted the Nihil Obstat agree with the contents, opinions, or statements expressed.